Two riders have been disqualified from the Tour of Guadeloupe after being caught on camera hiding behind cars before trying to re-join the peloton.The Dutch cyclists Niels Tenniglo and Huub van Kapel, both riding for RC Jan Van Arckel, were at the centre of a bizarre controversy on Stage 2.
A video appears to show the pair crouched behind a stationary car on the side of the road.
When the peloton came past, they moved off as if to re-join it, after being distanced earlier in the race.
“The referee saw them, the jury president saw them leave, but he didn’t have the bibs,” said Frederic Theobald, the president of the Guadeloupe Islands Regional Cycling Committee.
“In the meantime, I have a friend who was stopped at the Warren Errin stele – in front of the velodrome – he told me that there were two riders, 74 and 75, who were near him, waiting, and who then joined the peloton.
“Immediately after, I had two videos to support this big charade, because that’s what it is. It’s very serious.”
RC Jan Van Arckel club issued a response apologising for the actions of their riders.
“As many of you have probably already noticed, two riders from our team broke the rules during the race in Guadeloupe,” said a statement quoted by France Info.
“As a cycling association, we do not condone this behaviour. We will engage in dialogue with these riders and, based on this, appropriate action will be taken.
“On behalf of the entire team, we sincerely apologise to the organisation and the jury for this incident.”
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