🎥 UCI suspends Dutch cyclist over behavior following disqualification at Track World Championships

Dutch track cyclist Jan-Willem van Schip has been suspended by the UCI for just over a month due to his behavior at this year’s Track World Championships. Van Schip was relegated during the elimination race in Copenhagen and, according to the international cycling union, was guilty of "indecent and highly expressive gestures" directed at the jury.

Van Schip has faced significant setbacks this year. At the Paris Olympics, he was disqualified in the Madison after causing British rider Oliver Wood to crash with a 'headbutt.' While overtaking at high speed, the Dutchman delivered a shove that not only resulted in Wood’s fall but also earned Van Schip a fine of 1,000 Swiss francs.

"I was really deep in the tunnel during that race. I couldn’t go on. I was at my limit. Part of it was because of the heat that I couldn't handle very well. It wasn’t until afterward that someone told me I had knocked that Brit off his bike. I said: What?! I had no idea, no idea! When I watched it back, I saw it. Yes, I moved up slightly, and he moved down. Bad luck," he told TeamNL about the incident.

At the World Championships in Denmark, Van Schip was hoping for redemption. During the elimination race, he seemed on track for a medal until the jury suddenly announced that he was out of the race. Van Schip raised his middle fingers and stormed off the track in the arena in Ballerup, an action for which he is now being penalized.

So what had happened, exactly? Van Schip deviated significantly from his line, nearly colliding with Portugal's Diogo Narciso. Narciso was forced to swerve so far out of the way that he essentially lost any chance at a medal. About a minute later, the jury’s verdict was in: Van Schip had to leave the track. This decision visibly infuriated the Dutchman, whose subsequent reaction, according to the UCI, was deemed inappropriate. As a result, his fourth-place finish was converted to a disqualification at the time.

Video: Van Schip reacts angrily to disqualification at Track World Championships, resulting in suspension

Van Schip again fined by UCI, suspended for over a month

On Friday, the UCI announced that it had concluded the disciplinary procedure against Van Schip in mid-December. The focus was on his behavior toward the commissaires after being informed that he would be relegated in the elimination race. Van Schip reportedly left the track while making some wild gestures.

"This behavior, which took place publicly and was a direct response to the commissaires’ decision, was considered a violation of articles 12.4.010 and 12.4.017(d) of the UCI regulations," stated the UCI from Aigle. For this reason, the UCI has decided to suspend Van Schip from December 27, 2024, to February 1, 2025. He has also been issued an additional fine, on top of the penalty he had already received in October for his behavior.

Van Schip fully cooperated with the investigation and acknowledged his actions, according to the UCI.

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