Restart Protocol for Road Cycling After an Interruption Due to Extreme Weather or Safety Conditions

In road cycling events governed by the Union Cycliste Internationale (UCI), rider safety is the top priority. In the event of extreme weather conditions or unforeseen incidents that compromise the smooth running of the race, the Commissaires Panel, in consultation with the Race Director, may decide to implement a temporary neutralisation, interruption, or modification of the race route.

This protocol aligns with the UCI Protocol for discussions regarding extreme weather and the riders’ safety during events, which provides measures adapted to weather conditions that could endanger rider safety (extreme temperatures, strong winds, heavy rainfall, thunderstorms, etc.) or other unforeseen incidents. It defines communication procedures, criteria for rolling neutralisation speeds, and different race restart scenarios.

This protocol applies to all road cycling competitions under UCI regulations and must be followed by all stakeholders, including riders, teams, organisers, commissaires, and support vehicles.

1. Principle

In the event that, after the start of an event or stage, the weather conditions do not permit a safe and fair race and such conditions had not been anticipated, the President of the Commissaires’ Panel should neutralise the race before consulting stakeholders and then making a decision on whether to resume the race. The neutralisation, stopping and restart of an event or stage is subject to the following rules:

2. Neutralisation

The President of the Commissaires’ Panel will inform via Radio Tour his decision of neutralising the race and the general average speed to be maintained during the neutralisation. A yellow flag will be waived from the leading vehicle, from the Race Director’s vehicle and from any other commissaire vehicle.

Thereupon, the vehicles of the commissaires and of the Race Director will be placed in front of the riders and will progressively reduce their speed until the general average speed indicated via Radio Tour is reached. The average speed can be adjusted according to the course profile (flat, hilly, mountainous) to ensure rider safety, maintain fairness and prevent excessive cooling of the riders. Any change of the average speed shall be informed via Radio Tour.

Vehicles within the race convoy must observe the general average speed at all times while the neutralisation remains in place.

3. Race Stop

If the weather conditions do not permit start or to maintain a safe and fair neutralisation, or if a temporary stop becomes unavoidable (e.g., impassable road, ongoing medical intervention, complete blockage), the President of the Commissaires’ Panel can decide to stop the race. Any such decision will be promptly communicated by the President of the Commissaires’ Panel via Radio Tour. In addition, a red flag will be

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waived or a manual signal from the Race Director or a Commissaire will instruct riders to stop in a designated safe zone, ideally sheltered and free from immediate danger (unstable trees, power lines, flooding, etc.).

3.1 Maximum stopping time

The race must restart no later than 15 minutes after it has stopped. This period may be extended when circumstances so require, in particular for safety or operational reasons. Any extension shall be communicated via Radio Tour.

3.2 Riders

Riders are allowed to receive warm clothing, water, and food while the race is stopped.

Riders are allowed to return to their team vehicles while the race is stopped.

3.3 Formation of a panel

Immediately after the race stops, a decision panel is summoned. It shall be composed of:

  • The President of the UCI Commissaires Panel

  • The Race Director (representing the organiser)

  • The representatives designated by the AIGCP and the CPA

This panel analyses weather forecasts and road conditions using information provided by a meteorologist and race organisers.

3.4 Decision to resume the race

The decision panel may agree to resume the race if the weather or road conditions improve. In case of disagreement between the members of the decision panel, the President of the UCI Commissaires Panel has the final decision.

The stage or event shall be cancelled if local authorities prohibit to resume it.

If weather or road conditions do not improve within a reasonable time (approximately 30 minutes), the race may be shortened or cancelled.

4. Restart of the stage or event

4.1 Restart in case of a Race Stop

The President of the Commissaires’ Panel will announce via Radio Tour the decision to resume the race. The race must be restarted within 15 minutes after the decision is made, in order to allow riders to:

  • Return from their vehicles

  • Warm up

  • Receive mechanical assistance if necessary

  • Take on drinks and food.

Neutral service vehicles and medical teams must reposition before the race resumes.

Organisers are responsible for informing teams and commissaires of any remaining road hazards.

4.2 Restart in case of Neutralisation

The President of the Commissaires’ Panel will announce via Radio Tour the decision to resume the race. The race can only resume at least 5 minutes after the decision to resume is made.

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The Commissaires’ Panel will ensure that all safety and fairness conditions are met before resuming the race.

4.3 Formats for the restart of the stage or event

4.3.1 Maintained Time Gaps

If the time gaps between groups at the moment of the neutralisation or the race stop can be accurately measured and a greater than 30 seconds, those gaps will be maintained. Each group starts separately at a designated time, preserving the order and distances recorded before the stoppage.

To ensure a smooth and safe restart, a lead vehicle—such as a UCI Commissaire or the Race Director— controls the riders’ speed at a pace adapted to the terrain over a short distance. This phase allows riders to gradually regain their racing pace, preventing sudden accelerations that could disrupt the race balance.

4.3.2 Grouped Restart

If accurate timing data is unavailable, or if time gaps were less than 30 seconds at the time of the neutralisation or the race stop, the race resumes as a group start. In this scenario, all riders regroup and resume together after a neutralised phase of approximately 3 km, allowing for a controlled reintegration before the competition resumes at full intensity.

To maintain fairness, the Commissaires Panel, in consultation with the Race Director and organisers, may decide to reinstate the initial time gaps in the final race classification if necessary.

5. Communication and Coordination

A single communication channel via Radio Tour is recommended.

Any announcement regarding neutralisation, race stop and restart is announced only via Radio Tour.

Every time a time indication is giving via Radio Tour (e.g., time to resume after a neutralisation or a race stop, etc.), it shall be given by indicating a precise time (hour and minutes), respecting the following format:

  • Example announcement:

  • “The race will resume – new start at 12:15”.

  • This message is repeated every 5 minutes until the actual restart.

The organiser is also responsible for relaying the information communicated on Radio Tour to relevant external parties, in particular TV broadcasters to ensure the correct information is announced to the viewers, in a clear and regular manner.

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Union Cycliste Internationale 9 October 2026