World cycling body the UCI has handed New Zealand rider Kiaan Watts a 25-day suspension after he struck a fellow competitor during a Dutch race. Video from the Salverda Bouw Ster van Zwolle on March 7 appears to show the 24-year-old punching Dutch cyclist Marijn Maas in the head during the event.
The UCI said Watts accepted the sanction and will be suspended until May 2. The 25-day ban includes credit for a one-day suspension his team imposed on March 8.
Watts apologised on social media, saying he had acted in the heat of the moment. His team, NSN Development Team, also issued an apology and said it expects its riders to behave in a sporting and professional manner at all times. The team specifically extended its apologies to Marijn Maas, the BEAT CC p/b Saxo team, the race organisers and the UCI Commissaires.
The UCI statement confirmed the duration of the suspension and the application of the team-imposed day off to the total suspension period. Watts’ acceptance of the sanction means he will not contest the ruling and will serve the suspension through to the stated end date.