Tour de France Femmes 2025: Yellow Cards, Fines, and Penalties Handed Out
The Tour de France Femmes 2025 is underway, and with it comes a new set of rules and regulations. One of the most notable aspects of this year's event is the introduction of a yellow card system for more dangerous infractions.
During the race, several riders and team officials have received yellow cards and fines for breaching regulations. For instance, Picnic-PostNL DS Albert Timmer received a 500CHF fine and a yellow card for breach of vehicle movement regulations during Stage 7. Amber Kraak from FDJ-SUEZ received a yellow card for "dangerous behavior" in a feeding zone on Stage 6.
The yellow card system is designed to penalise infringements that compromise safety, fairness, or conduct, as detailed in the race regulations. Some of the infractions that can result in a yellow card include taking off the mandatory helmet during the race (Rule 3.4), hand sling assistance between teammates (Rule 4.2.1), other types of hand slings or illegal assistance related to team tactics (Rule 4.2.2), dangerous behavior such as feeding in unauthorized zones or dangerous conduct during the race, obstruction or indecent behavior towards other riders, such as pushing or blocking riders in critical race moments.
Specific examples from the 2025 race include fines paired with yellow cards for pushing another rider, obstruction to delay movement, and dangerous behavior in feeding zones. These cards signal serious rule breaches and are accompanied by fines (ranging from 50 to 500 Swiss Francs) and sometimes time or points penalties.
Thalita de Jong from Human Powered Health and her team director were fined for feeding at kilometre 18, which is prohibited in stage races before the first 20 kilometres. Linda Zanetti from UNO-X Mobility received a 200CHF fine, 10 points at UCI ranking, and a yellow card for indecent behavior (pushing another rider by hand) on Stage 4. Imogen Wolff from Visma-Lease a Bike received a 200CHF fine, a 20% penalty at points classification, 10 points at UCI ranking, and a yellow card for obstruction on Stage 4.
The UCI has introduced this new yellow card system for more dangerous infractions, with two yellow cards within 30 days resulting in a rider's disqualification and a 7-day suspension, and three yellow cards within the same 30-day period leading to a 14-day ban. The UCI commissaires are responsible for doling out punishments during the race.
The first fines of the Tour de France Femmes were issued on Stage 2, with Laboral Kutxa-Fundacion Euskadi DS Ion Lazkano receiving a 500CHF fine for irregular assistance of a rider. Amber Kraak from FDJ-SUEZ also received a 50CHF fine and a yellow card for dangerous behavior (feeding zone) on Stage 6.
As the Tour de France Femmes continues, it's clear that the yellow card system is playing a crucial role in maintaining the integrity and fairness of the race. Riders and team officials must adhere to the rules to avoid penalties and ensure a safe and competitive race for all participants.
Riders and team officials in the Tour de France Femmes 2025 are being penalized for breaching various rules, such as feeding in prohibited zones or pushing other riders, which result in yellow cards and fines. The yellow card system is a new regulation for more dangerous infractions, and two yellow cards within 30 days can lead to a rider's disqualification and a 7-day suspension, while three yellow cards within the same period result in a 14-day ban.
