First yellow card of 2026 for Tord Gudmestad in Tour Down Under
The first yellow card of the 2026 cycling season has been issued. Tord Gudmestad was fined for an infraction during the first stage of the Santos Tour Down Under. The 24-year-old Norwegian from Decathlon CMA CGM celebrated for his winning teammate Tobias Lund Andresen, but that is not (always) allowed.
The first road stage of the Santos Down Under ended in a bunch sprint. Tobias Lund Andresen (Decathlon CMA CGM) won the sprint after being perfectly led out by his teammates, including Gudmestad. Gudmestad, the final lead-out man for Andresen, then joined the celebration by raising his right arm in the air. However, this can lead to a sanction according to UCI regulations.
⚡Perfect timing, and a perfect execution from the guys at @decathloncmacgm!
A late comeback from Sam Welsford and Matty Brennan can’t challenge the Dane, and Tobias Lund Andresen takes Stage 1!
📺 Stream the race now on 7plus: https://t.co/k2Exq3GblT@vanguard_au |… pic.twitter.com/kqebbCDVb5
— Santos Tour Down Under 🚴🚴♀️ (@tourdownunder) January 21, 2026
UCI regulations state that sanctions follow if a rider 'during a sprint decides to slow down and thereby endangers other riders: deliberately blocking other riders’ sprint lanes, celebrating in the peloton, communicating via radio, or taking the hands off the handlebars while still in the peloton.'
Yellow card and relegation
A violation of this rule does not necessarily lead to a yellow card, but in Gudmestad’s case, the jury decided otherwise. He can also expect a fine between 100 and 500 Swiss francs. Additionally, the Norwegian has been relegated as per the rules. He crossed the line in 13th place, but has been dropped to the last place in the peloton: 154th.
