What do the yellow, blue and red cards mean, and how long is a time penalty?

• Warning (no card): an official can warn you about a possible or unintentional minor infringement where no advantage has been gained. You are asked to change your behaviour and continue straight away. Failing to correct it may lead to a card.
• Yellow card (stop-start): a minor infringement. You serve a stop-start with a technical official and may resume only when told. Examples: mounting before the mount line, dismounting after the dismount line, blocking, a helmet not securely fastened, deliberately not wearing the race numbers provided.
• Blue card (time penalty): served with a technical official or in the next bike penalty box. Examples: drafting and an illegal pass. The penalty is 2 minutes if the bike course is 90 km or less and 3 minutes if it is over 90 km.
• Multiple blue cards: you must serve each one but may finish. On a bike course under 80 km, two or more blue cards may lead to disqualification by the Head Referee after the race. On 80 km or more, three or more may.
• Red card: a major infringement. You do not serve a time penalty and may finish; the Head Referee rules on it afterwards. Examples: outside assistance, not completing the entire course, failing to obey an official, using gloves in the swim.
• Failing to report to the penalty box to serve a card may result in disqualification.

You may complete the event even if shown a card. In the penalty box you may not use the restroom (unless the official allows it for an urgent matter), adjust equipment or do bike maintenance.

Source: AusTriathlon Race Competition Rules, June 2026, rule 11 and Appendix B.