Rider Safety Under Scrutiny: Tour de France 2025 Faces Feeding Zone Dilemma

The 2025 Tour de France has been overshadowed by a series of incidents that have intensified concerns over rider safety, particularly regarding the placement and management of feeding zones. These designated areas, where cyclists collect essential food and drink, have come under scrutiny following injuries sustained by riders attempting to grab feed bags at high speeds.

On July 17, during Stage 12, French cyclist Bryan Coquard of Team Cofidis fractured his right ring finger while trying to collect a musette—a small feed bag—at a feeding zone. Despite completing the subsequent time trial in Stage 13, Coquard announced his withdrawal from the race due to the injury. Reflecting on the incident, he stated, "I wanted to take a musette for my leaders, with ice and bottles. The finger is broken I think, it's not very pretty."

This injury has reignited debates over the safety of feeding zones, especially those located on flat, high-speed sections of the course where riders can reach speeds of 60 kilometers per hour. Philippe Mauduit, performance director at Groupama-FDJ, criticized the current placement of these zones, emphasizing the dangers riders face when attempting to grab feed bags at such velocities. He questioned, "Do we need to wait for someone to die on Mont Ventoux before we act?"

The issue is not isolated to Coquard's injury. Earlier in the race, Belgian sprinter Jasper Philipsen suffered a severe crash during Stage 3, resulting in a displaced collarbone fracture and two broken ribs. The crash was initiated by Coquard, leading to Philipsen's withdrawal from the race. Coquard expressed his remorse, stating, "I am very sorry for Philipsen and the Alpecin team, even if it was not intentional."

In response to these incidents, a coalition of sports directors has proposed reforms to race organizers, including repositioning feeding zones to safer, slower segments of the course, such as slight uphills or post-town exits. Some changes, like reinstating feeding on categorized climbs, have been accepted. However, experts like Tom Southam from EF Education–EasyPost stress the need for more input from experienced team personnel to ensure safer conditions.

The Union Cycliste Internationale (UCI) introduced new regulations in January 2025, mandating official feed zones every 30-40 kilometers and restricting roadside feeding to these zones. This change aimed to standardize feeding practices but has been met with criticism. Southam noted that the new rules have increased pressure, with 23 teams vying for space in the same spot, thereby elevating the risk of accidents.

Additionally, the increasing heat during the Tour has prompted discussions about adjusting race schedules, such as starting stages earlier to mitigate the effects of extreme temperatures on riders. Southam remarked, "If we keep racing in July, we need to start stages earlier — not 1 p.m. If the race finishes at 5:30 instead of 4:30 on TV, so be it. Something has to change."

The Tour de France, established in 1903, is renowned for its grueling routes and the physical demands it places on riders. Feeding zones are critical for maintaining energy levels, but their placement and management are now under intense scrutiny. The recent incidents have highlighted the need for immediate reforms to feeding zone regulations to prevent further injuries or potential fatalities.

As the Tour progresses, the cycling community continues to grapple with balancing tradition and safety. The calls for change underscore the urgency of addressing these concerns to ensure the well-being of riders in one of the world's most challenging sporting events.