Tour de France 2023: Should cycling introduce red and yellow cards after Mathieu van der Poel shoulder bump?

Should cycling have a red and yellow card system to encourage riders to take fewer risks? That was the debate on The Breakaway after Mathieu van der Poel (Alpecin–Deceuninck) was penalised for bumping Biniam Girmay (Intermarche–Circus–Wanty) in the finale to Stage 4 at the 2023 Tour de France as he teed up team-mate Jasper Philipsen for victory. Ad While Van der Poel was relegated to 22nd place, fined 500 Swiss francs, and docked 11 green jersey points and 13 UCI points, it seemed a small punishment given Philipsen and Alpecin–Deceuninck were left celebrating a second straight win.

Tour de FranceCavendish on crash-laden finish to Stage 4 — 'That was carnage'20 HOURS AGO Asked how Van der Poel's relegation would be viewed in the team, Adam Blythe said: «It's not negative whatsoever. »A leadout man's job is to put his sprinter in position.

If he gets relegated, what does it matter? «The UCI have tried to make a point, but ultimately he's not out of the race, nothing has happened to the winner. It's almost like 'Mathieu, you do what you need to do to get your leader into position.

It doesn't matter if you get relegated because we've still won the stage'.» In April, CPA president Adam Hansen, who represents the riders to get their collective voice heard, posted a survey that revealed 100% of those canvassed when in favour of red and yellow cards in cycling. «Ultimately it's up to the riders to make it safer themselves,» said Blythe.

«As Mads Pedersen said [after Stage 4], they've got brakes, they can ease off in they need to, they can move out the way. But ultimately I don't think anything will change until there's a red card, yellow card system.» Was Van der Poel's sprint dangerous? After Philipsen found himself isolated on