How is a penalty box served, and how long is a blue card time penalty?

A penalty box is a designated area on the course where a competitor may be required to serve a stop-start or time penalty. A competitor sent to a bike course penalty box must attend the next penalty box; failing to do so may result in disqualification. The competitor may resume racing only when the penalty box technical official instructs them to.

In the penalty box a competitor:

• may consume only food and water that is on their bike or person;
• may not use the restroom (if urgent, the official has discretion to pause the penalty time while they do); and
• may not adjust equipment or do any bike maintenance.

Blue card time penalty duration: 2 minutes if the bike course is 90 km or less, 3 minutes if it is over 90 km.

Source: AusTriathlon Race Competition Rules June 2026 v1.2, sections 11.5 to 11.7.