‘Little bit of cyclo-cross’ – Van Schip launches attack on ‘outrageous’ set-up
Video credit: TNT Sports
There was an unusual disqualification in the Tour of Holland, involving Parkhotel Valkenburg rider Jan-Willem van Schip. The Dutch cyclist initially finished the opening stage of the multi-day race – live on TNT Sports and discovery+ – in the main bunch, but later found himself disqualified due to the equipment he was riding.
Van Schip was seen sporting narrower than usual handlebars, which were caught on camera due to an audacious attack he launched midway through the stage.
He was brought back by the peloton and finished with the pack, in a stage won by Tim Merlier (Soudal Quick-Step).
“His seatpost allegedly does not meet UCI requirements, but he has been riding with one for several years and has documentation that it is permitted,” a statement by Parkhotel Valkenburg team manager Paul Tabak read, as reported by Domestique.
Interestingly, it appears the decision did not come from the commissaries on the ground – but rather UCI headquarters in Switzerland.
Confusion over start of sprint line at Tour of Holland – ‘Weird way to do it’
Video credit: TNT Sports
“The UCI commissaries in the NIBC Tour of Holland did not disqualify Jan-Willem. They were overruled by Switzerland,” Tabak continued.
“The UCI said they had to disqualify Van Schip because he was riding with an illegal seatpost.
“It’s very simple: everything is registered with the UCI. The wheels, your bike, your handlebars, everything.
“So if Jan-Willem rides with this seatpost – and he’s been racing with it for several years – then he has documentation.
“The UCI’s argument is that all the Cervelos we ride have straight seatposts. And this one is upside down, which the federation says isn’t allowed.”
This is not the first time the Dutch cyclist has courted controversy. He was relegated from the Elimination race at the Track World Championships last year for dangerous riding, before being disqualified for improper conduct after making an obscene gesture.
He was also disqualified from last season’s Heistse Pijl, although Tabak confirmed that the team were “still protesting” that decision, because “we still haven’t received a response from the UCI,” as to the reason for the DSQ.
“There’s always trouble about Jan-Willem’s handlebars,” Tabak added.
“Every time, we show the approved documentation. Together with Jan-Willem and a juror, we’ve already written a letter about it to show what it’s all about. Hopefully, that will now help to reverse [this] disqualification.”
Stage 2 of the Tour of Holland is a 15km individual time trial, beginning and finishing in Etten-Leur.
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