The UCI will start limiting team radio usage and introduce symbolic yellow cards from 1 August, with full sanctions coming in 2025. This move is part of the SafeR stakeholders’ group efforts to improve race safety.
Team Radio Restrictions
Team radios, also known as earpieces, will be restricted during three stages of the Tour de Pologne (12-18 August) and the Vuelta a Burgos (5-9 August). This will reduce the flow of information from team vehicles and directeur sportif, compelling riders to make team decisions amongst themselves and stay vigilant for safety hazards.
The UCI had previously attempted to ban earpieces in 2011, even testing a full ban during Stage 10 of the Tour de France. Now, these tests are back to assess the impact on race safety and dynamics.
Yellow Card System
A yellow card system will be trialled in WorldTour and Women’s WorldTour races until the end of 2024. According to the UCI, “yellow cards will represent a sanction listed in the race communiqué but will not physically exist and will not result in any restrictions in terms of participation in following events.”
At the end of the 2024 season, SafeR will evaluate the system and UCI will approve it before imposing sanctions from 1 January 2025. The yellow card system will then be extended to UCI ProSeries events (Men and Women Elite), the Olympic Games, the UCI World Championships (Men and Women Elite and Under 23), and Continental Championships (Men and Women Elite and Under 23).
The UCI warned that yellow cards in 2025 will lead to suspensions of varying lengths, depending on the number of yellow cards accumulated. Offences such as improper waste disposal, holding onto a team car, or getting mechanical assistance from a moving vehicle could result in yellow cards.
SafeR Initiative and Race Safety
Safety became a major issue in the spring after crashes in the men’s Dwars door Vlaanderen, Itzulia Basque Country, and other races. The SafeR Case Management Committee, including analysts and representatives from teams, riders, and organisers, now meets weekly to review incidents, propose disciplinary measures, investigate safety concerns, and suggest recommendations.
The UCI’s Race Incidents Database, developed with Ghent University, has logged 341 crashes and other near-miss incidents. Analysis revealed that around 49% of crashes occur within the last 40km of a race, with frequent incidents before climbs, cobblestone sectors, sprints, and on slippery roads or descents.
SafeR analysts will make informed recommendations for safety improvements based on observed trends. They noted the high number of crashes involving young riders, highlighting the need for better rider education. Additionally, SafeR is working on a study to define new standards for race barriers in terms of design, size, strength, and impact absorption.
Stakeholders and Responsibilities
SafeR is sponsored and funded by the UCI, AIOCC race organisers group, AIGCP teams association, UNIO women’s team association, and the men’s and women’s CPA riders association. This marks the first time all stakeholders in the sport are collaborating to enhance race safety.
According to UCI President David Lappartient, “50% of crashes are due to rider behaviour, with 50% due to other factors, such as obstacles that are not signalled or the speed of the peloton.” He added, “That’s why we want to introduce a principle of yellow and red cards, like in football, so that dangerous behaviour is better punished.”
SafeR aims to be fully operational by the 2025 season. Key stakeholders voted in spring to oust Chief Executive Officer Jaap Van Hulten, less than a year after his appointment. The initiative’s long-term goals include setting a framework for the number of neo-professionals in events and creating safer race environments through collaborative efforts.
