"The yellow and red card system is here and the cycling world is simply ready for it" - Christian Prudhomme calls for introduction of yellow and red cards system in cycling

The men's team presentation of Paris-Roubaix took place on Saturday afternoon in Compiègne, tomorrow's starting point. Over this week the infamous chicane in front of the Arrenberg was heavily discussed as well as the need for more safety in the races in general.

On Friday, Oliver Naesen called on the international cycling association UCI to introduce a system with yellow and red cards. In this way, "the men who cross the line could be punished," the Belgian said.

Tour de France director Christian Prudhomme told Het Nieuwsblad the following about the need for more safety: "The only positive thing that came out of the heavy fall in the Itzulia Basque Country is looking for the real causes."

According to Prudhomme, it is not only the speed, but also the clothing of the riders. "If you look at the falls of Wout van Aert, Jonas Vingegaard and Steff Cras, you see a completely exposed back of those riders. The jersey is simply not capable of protecting a rider's body. Many things in cycling have already evolved in a positive way, but this can clearly be improved."

The Frenchman is clear about the system with yellow and red cards. "We have already thought about it very carefully and you have to keep thinking about how you can better protect the riders. In general the speed of the riders is much too high. New talents, who are just entering cycling, are getting younger and younger, but they lack the years of experience in the peloton and the habit of respecting the rules. The yellow and red card system is here and the cycling world is simply ready for it. It is clear to me that that heavy fall has only accelerated the introduction."