10 professional cyclists fined in Calpe for running a red light

Calpe has become, once again, one of the major epicenters of professional cycling this winter. Top-level teams are taking advantage of the climate, the roads, and climbs like the Coll de Rates to fine-tune their preparation for the upcoming season. But this intense presence of cyclists is also leading to a less favorable situation with the increase in penalties for traffic violations.

Red light and ticket in hand: sanction for ten riders from Groupama-FDJ in Calpe

According to reports in recent days, ten riders from Groupama-FDJ were fined 100 euros each for running a red light during a training session near Llíber, a small town close to Calpe. The specific location is a narrow road, two-way with one lane in each direction, regulated by traffic lights to manage the flow of vehicles. The cyclists did not respect the traffic signal and continued on their way, prompting action from the authorities.

This incident adds to another very recent case we reported, when Johannes Staune-Mittet was fined 200 euros for training with headphones on roads in the province of Alicante, a violation expressly prohibited by Spanish traffic regulations. That case served as a reminder that professional cyclists, even during pre-season training camps, are subject to the same rules as any other road user.

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Both penalties reflect increased police control in an area with a very high density of cyclists during these weeks. The influx is such that iconic climbs like the Coll de Rates have become completely congested.

From the teams themselves and from the professional cycling community, there has been a long-standing emphasis on the importance of exercising caution during training on roads open to traffic. Running a red light or using headphones not only results in a financial penalty but also fuels the debate about coexistence between cyclists and other road users, especially in crowded areas like Calpe in winter.