In the first few weeks of the Tour de France, the UCI tested the extension of the three-kilometre rule to four or five kilometres for the first time in order to increase safety, especially on flat stages with bunch sprints. The idea was to take the tension out of the peloton by moving the limit to the front, as this would allow classification riders to stay out of the sprint preparations earlier without having to worry about losing time.
Cycling world federation UCI receives positive feedback
There were plenty of crashes in the finale during the first two weeks of the Tour de France 2024. Nevertheless, the world governing body received positive feedback from the peloton for the test, as it announced in a press release on the second rest day. The same applies to the simplification of the timing system, which means that gaps between groups will only be counted if there are three seconds or around 50 metres between riders at the finish.
UCI launches test phase for yellow cards
Both regulations are to undergo further testing in the Tour de France Femmes 2024 and the Vuelta a Espana 2024 are subject to. The UCI also announced that it would be testing the use of yellow cards for offences from 1 August. However, there will be no real consequences until the end of the year.
At the Tour of Poland and the Tour of Burgos, the restricted radio communication between riders and team cars will also enter the test phase. The new regulation stipulates that only two riders of a team - previously all of them - are allowed to have contact with the team car with earplugs. All measures are intended to improve the safety of the drivers during a race.
