🎥 Cycling world stunned as Milan only gets yellow card for headbutt: "Groves received same penalty"

The Classic Brugge-De Panne started on Wednesday with four absolute favorites: Jonathan Milan (Lidl-Trek), Jasper Philipsen (Alpecin-Deceuninck), Olav Kooij (Visma | Lease a Bike) and Tim Merlier of Soudal Quick-Step. With all the crashes, only Milan could sprint with that quartet, but he could not even catch the eventual winner, Juan Sebastian Molano (UAE Emirates-XRG).

"We controlled the race. They did a good job, but I'm disappointed I couldn't give them the win," said Milan, who finished second. "Molano was firm, and I didn't expect anyone to win with a 400-meter sprint. That was a surprise. I gave it my best shot but couldn't catch him."

"It's unfortunate we saw so many crashes. I heard a big crash behind me just in the last kilometer, so I hope everyone is okay. It was a difficult final, one of the most dangerous I have ever done. The course is just dangerous, with that run-in to the last kilometer. It goes from two lanes to one, and then there is a turn directly after. That makes everyone nervous because everyone wants to be upfront to go for the win. When it all comes together, these kinds of things happen."

Milan was also shown a yellow card for giving a headbutt to a rider from Uno-X, but his second place was not taken away from him because the incident happened one and a half kilometers from the finish line. He has a new race coming up on Sunday. "I'm ready for Gent-Wevelgem. I'm no longer bothered by the Tirreno-Adriatico crash and feel good."

Continue reading below the video!

The cycling world was surprised by Milan's mild punishment

The fact that Milan received only a yellow card for his headbutt did not meet with approval in the cycling world. There was criticism on Wednesday evening, especially on the still-popular X. "According to the UCI commissioner from the Bruges-De Panne race, Zinedine Zidane did not headbutt Marco Materazzi, but was only in his way," was a joking reference to the headbutt that soccer legend Zidane gave at the 2006 World Cup. The Frenchman received a red card for it.

Many felt that was a fair punishment for Milan. Few sympathized with the fact that the Italian was not disqualified. "Milan and Kristoff receive a yellow card, the same punishment Kaden Groves received in Kuurne-Brussels-Kuurne after he was seen cheering for Jasper Philipsen. I understand," was one of the comments.

Continue reading below!

Philipsen sees 'staying upright' as a victory

Philipsen had already had his share of bad luck last week in Nokere and was now more than happy that he could stay on his bike, unlike Kooij and Merlier. "They crashed at the narrowing in the road. I was behind them and lost contact with the peloton but stayed upright this time. I'm already happy about that. This is an easy race, and you know it would be stressful. Hopefully, everyone will always be spared from crashes, but that won't happen again. I didn't hurt myself and would have liked to participate, but we have to see the positive side of it. A pity about the opportunity, but oh well," said the sprinter from Alpecin-Deceuninck to Sporza.

Lead-out Jonas Rickaert had the exact words. "It was super hectic. Nervous all day. I don't know what happened to Jasper. I came out of the last corner and saw he was no longer there. Too bad. The last time I looked back, we were all together. That was a good time to go. They were still stuck somewhere, but I don't know where. I just kept going. It came to a complete standstill. So, hats off to Molano. He did well, choosing the right moment. When I saw him set off, I thought he would make it."

Read also

Molano wins Brugge - De Panne with a 400m sprint, several crashes in last stretch

Omloop winner Wærenskjold has a clear goal this spring: "I want to be in the top five in this race"

Without Pogacar, focus shifts to Van Aert and Visma | Lease a Bike: "It affects the race"

Subscribe to our Newsletter

Get every week the latest news about CYCLING in your inbox!

Subscribe