Iserbyt apologized to Kamp: "That's not appropriate, especially as Belgian champion"

A few days after the incident with Ryan Kamp at the cross of Beringen in Belgium, Eli Iserbyt again reacted to the collision and subsequent kick. After his outrageous action, the Belgian cyclo-cross champion got lots of buzz at the Crystal Bicycle gala.

Last Saturday, the Dutch Kamp tried to overtake its Belgian competitor. He didn't do so skillfully: after a collision with their shoulders, both riders crashed. Iserbyt fell on a wooden pole and was visibly annoyed by the action. He thought Kamp was at fault, and in a fit of rage, he decided to play the judge: he savagely smashed Kamp's derailleur. Kamp had to walk to the material zone, and Iserbyt was disqualified moments later.

At the award ceremony for best Belgian cyclist (Remco Evenepoel won that prize for the men; Lotte Kopecky won for the women), Iserbyt expressed his regret to Het Laatste Nieuws. "I just saw afterward that I made a big mistake. It was an out-of-control moment, a wild reaction. That's not supposed to happen during such a sporting event, especially as Belgian champion. I do realize that. My apologies have also been sent to Ryan, the team, and the organization. To many people: I do realize that it is not done. I'm now looking forward to the next cross country and trying to start training again with renewed courage."

Discussion regarding kick continues in Belgium

Iserbyt's action stirred up controversy in Belgium. Former cyclist Bart Wellens called for stricter sanctions than disqualification and a fine of 100 Swiss francs. "Honestly, I think there will be more to this story," Wellens continued. "Disqualifying him is not enough; the UCI will still have to give a signal," he argued. Others thought that was too heavy, like Paul Herygers. "There is no need to bring it up again. The commissioners did what they had to and expelled him from the race. That's the end of the matter."