UCI levies record fines at Tour Auvergne‑Rhône‑Alpes team time trial

Visma | Lease a Bike secured victory in the Tour Auvergne‑Rhône‑Alpes team time trial despite early difficulties. Wout van Aert abandoned after a few kilometres, and Ben Tulett suffered a near‑fall and a puncture on a technical section. Team leader Matteo Jorgenson said the race "did not go as planned" but praised the squad’s ability to reorganise quickly and claim the win, gaining a solid time advantage over rivals such as Paul Seixas and Isaac Del Toro.

The UCI imposed unusually high penalties after the same stage, levelling a total of 10 000 Swiss francs (about €10 837) in fines. Teams that failed to have their bikes ready fifteen minutes before the start – including Jayco AlUla and TotalEnergies – were each fined 3 500 francs. Lotto‑Intermarché and its directeur Mario Aerts received a 3 000‑franc fine for the same breach. Earlier penalties and yellow cards were also handed out for infractions such as riding on a sidewalk and using illegal bike positions.