Confrontation after Primoz Roglic bike damage led to Merijn Zeeman Tour exclusion

ByReuters

Updated 18/09/2020 at 20:31 GMT

Damage to the bike of Tour de France leader Primoz Roglic by an International Cycling Union (UCI) official led to the exchange that culminated in the team's sports director Merijn Zeeman being excluded from the race.

Primoz Roglic of Slovenia and Team Jumbo - Visma Yellow Leader Jersey

Image credit: Getty Images

Team Jumbo-Visma said on Friday an International Cycling Union (UCI) official had damaged the bike of Tour de France overall leader Primoz Roglic during an inspection, which had prompted an angry response from the team's sports director.

Merijn Zeeman was excluded from the race for intimidating and insulting a member of the UCI at the end of Thursday’s 17th stage.

"I got upset when the commissioner dismounted the crankset from Primoz's bike," Zeeman said in a team statement on Friday.

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"The bike was damaged and the crankset had to be replaced afterwards," the team said, adding:

The bike of GC leader Roglic was in accordance with the regulations.

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The UCI check several bikes after a race or a grand tour stage as part of efforts to fight 'mechanical doping'.

"We stand for a fair sport and that includes checks, but that must be done in a reasonable way. Despite that, I should have kept myself cool and approached the UCI commissioner in a more respectful way," said Zeeman.