The 2025 Tour de France may introduce yellow cards for misconduct as cycling adopts a system similar to football’s VAR. Riders’ every move—bumps, sudden accelerations, or verbal exchanges—will now face increased scrutiny from onboard cameras and race officials.
As part of the UCI’s efforts to strengthen disciplinary measures, penalties can be applied for various infractions, from excessive celebrations to riding on sidewalks. The card system was tested last year and is now being implemented in World Tour events.
Under the new rules, any rider receiving two yellow cards in a single Tour de France risks disqualification and a seven-day suspension, while three cards within 30 days may lead to a 14-day ban.
Dutch cyclist Oscar Riesebeek, of the Alpecin-Deceuninck team, was the first to be suspended under the system after receiving two yellow cards in three days last May. “Looking back, I see my actions were not just inappropriate but also dangerous,” he admitted.
While officials won’t physically brandish cards at riders, enforcement involves some subjectivity. Infractions like holding onto a “sticky bottle” too long—remaining attached to a drink passed from the team car—could draw penalties, though the precise time limit remains undefined.
Past cases, such as 2014 Tour winner Vincenzo Nibali and British time trial champion Josh Tarling, saw ejections for prolonged “sticky bottle” use. More severe offenses—verbal abuse, physical altercations, or deliberate interference like pulling another rider’s jersey—will also be penalized.
However, critics argue the UCI’s regulations are overly strict, including penalties for riders celebrating a teammate’s win by raising arms in a sprint.
“What actually warrants a yellow card?” asked sprinter Jasper Philipsen, Riesebeek’s teammate and a three-stage winner in last year’s Tour, after fellow rider Davide Bomboi was penalized in the Baloise Belgium Tour. “His punishment was unfair and uncalled for.”
While cameras will monitor aggressive or unsafe behavior, they’ll also scan for technical violations, such as hidden motors in bikes.
During each stage, the UCI’s monitoring program will analyze rider behavior via multiple camera feeds, watching for suspicious movements beyond just misconduct.
“Anything questionable will be flagged for closer inspection.”
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