New rules in 2025! Yellow cards, no more celebrating the win of teammates, and more

The UCI has made a number of changes to its rulebook for the upcoming season. After a trial period, the yellow card system is now officially in place. Additionally, the U23 categories will undergo changes: starting this year, no WorldTour or Pro-Continental riders will be allowed to participate in the World Championships. Another new rule prohibits celebrating for a winning teammate.

The yellow card system, tested in youth races since August, has been deemed suitable for general implementation. Here’s how it works: a rider can receive a yellow card for a rule violation (such as public urination, discarding a bidon improperly). If a rider receives two yellow cards during the same event, they will be suspended for seven days. If they accumulate three yellow cards within 30 days, the suspension extends to 14 days. Accumulating six yellow cards in a year results in a suspension of 30 days.

Additionally, WorldTour and Pro-Continental riders will no longer be allowed to compete in U23 World Championships. This change is due to the increasing youthfulness of the cycling world. For example, time trial prodigy Josh Tarling should be allowed to participate in these championships for another three years, despite winning the elite European title last year. The U23 championships are thus being refocused on developing talents, rather than established names.

Read more below the photo!

Niklas Behrens became world champion in the U23s: ahead of WorldTour rider Martin Svrcek (Soudal Quick-Step)

Longer races for women, new five-kilometer rule in sprints

Other changes include adjustments to race distances for women and the extension of the sprint zone. Starting in 2025, women will be allowed to race longer distances, with the maximum increasing from 160 kilometers to 180 kilometers. This change also applies to youth categories, while the men’s U23 category will see a reduction in distance, capping their races at 180 kilometers.

The three-kilometer rule for sprints will now be extended to five kilometers. Additionally, in bunch sprints, a gap of one second will no longer count as a time gap; a rider must now be three seconds behind the one in front to lose time. This change does not apply to smaller sprints, by the way. The three-kilometer rule had already been adjusted in previous seasons.

And what if a teammate wins? Riders will no longer be allowed to celebrate as they cross the finish line. The rule is described as follows: "A rider who deliberately slows down during a sprint, endangering others; intentionally blocking other riders’ sprint lines; celebrating in the peloton; communicating via radio; or removing hands from the handlebars while still in the peloton." Violators face fines ranging from 100 to 500 Swiss Francs, as well as disqualification, and possibly a yellow card. Hopefully, the rule will be applied with some common sense, as these moments often produce iconic images.

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