ASTANA CYCLIST ANDRIY Grivko was disqualified following stage three of the Dubai Tour for punching race leader Marcel Kittel in the face.
A bloodied Kittel posted a photo to Twitter following Thursday’s stage showing a cut over his left eye and insisting, “I won’t accept an apology for this.”
He later explained: “When we passed a construction site, the sand began blowing and as soon as we went into the crosswinds we were fighting for position, which is always stressful, and Andriy Grivko punched me.
“I really can’t understand how he can do something like that. I get that riding in the crosswinds is always tense, but it gives him no right to act like that. He could have hurt my eye. It’s a real shame what happened.
“In the finale, my mind wasn’t 100% on the sprint, but I am happy I have no big injuries and I kept the lead.”
Astana sports director Alexandr Shefer later issued an apology on behalf of his rider.
“Today’s stage was really hard because of the wind; there were a few nervous and dangerous moments. In one of those moments Andriy Grivko has not coped with (his) emotions and hit Marcel Kittel.
“Regardless of the causes of the incident, we must recognize that our rider acted inappropriately. It is unsportsmanlike and unacceptable. We apologise to Kittel and his team for what happened.
“Astana Proteam always adheres to a strict line in matters of sports ethics, therefore, we fully agree with the jury decision to remove Andriy Grivko from the race.
“Also, on behalf of the team, management will take further decisions on (the) rider’s punishment.”
John Degenkolb won Thursday’s penultimate stage while Kittel holds an eight-second lead over Dylan Groenewegen in the general classification.
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Be surprised if the line up like that. More likely cooper in full back line, O’Sullivan at half back line. Also be surprised if mccaffrey is not in half back line.
@Augustus hoop:
As usual,the “real” team will not line out as selected.I dont know why Jim Gavin does thos all the time.Are we getting any advantage by naming these dummy teams?Obviously Jim thinks we are.Doubt McCaffrey is playing up front and if he starts it will be in the backs with one of the selected back six dropping to the bench.Suppose it’s a bit of a talking point for us fans but we’ll have to wait until just before throw-in to find out.
@mark kenny: true cant see the value in this dummy team … can see mick fitz drop out lowndes cooper go to full back line and small mccaffery and cian o sullivan in h/ back line a half forward come in for fitz could be flynn/or kev mac
@Liam Murphy:
Yea it’s hard to second guess Jim but i’ll have a guess at the back seven
1 Cluxton
2 McMahon
3 Fitzimmons
4 Lowndes
5 McCaffrey
6 O Sullivan
7 Small
@mark kenny: no cooper so who plays in the forward line when jack mac comes back
@Liam Murphy:
Maybe Scully.It’s only a guess,though.Who knows what Jim will do?Bernard probably did enough the last day to start but maybe he’s better coming off the bench.
What a joke
Dublin could play their U21 squad up until at least the semifinals giving the poor standard of this competition.these backdoor mickey Mouse games with teams that have no hope of making it to the final
@Jamie: their u21s would not win today’s game. Would their u21s beat Kildare?
@Patrick O’Sullivan: yes they would on both questions
@Jamie: Yea why don’t they just put Dublin straight into the final every year
@Jamie: i think you are wrong lad. There 21s would definitely not beat monaghan.
McCafferry will go back and mark O’Sullivan man and he will be sweeper then