Nacer Bouhanni in the eye of the storm.
Third in the final sprint of Cholet-Pays de la Loire, the French sprinter of the Arkéa-Samsic team was finally downgraded by the race stewards, after watching the slowdowns.
The fault was a shoulder to Jake Stewart (Groupama-FDJ) in the home stretch.
Plated against the barriers, the Briton was forced to cut his effort before finally finishing 29th.
A disappointment at the height of his nervousness on his social networks.
"Hey Nacer Bouhanni, I'd like to ask you what you were thinking at the time, but you clearly don't have neurons," tweeted the young sprinter (21).
The worst part is that you tell me that I had "no respect" after the sprint.
Here is an instructional video to show you what it means to have "no respect". "
Yo @BouhanniNacer I would ask you what you was thinking ... but you clearly have no brain cells.
The ironic thing is, you told me I had 'no respect' after the finish.
Here's an educational video of what 'no respect' looks like ... https://t.co/nk5Bp6lE0V
- Jake (@jakey_stewart) March 28, 2021
The UCI calls for "appropriate sanctions"
Promoted to the first team of Groupama-FDJ this season and recent runner-up for Het Nieuwsblad, Stewart was therefore unable to fully have his chance during the final packaging of the semi-classic, won by the Italian Elia Viviani ( Cofidis).
And for his gesture, Nacer Bouhanni could be sanctioned.
Still looking for his first success this season, the last winner of the Coupe de France should observe a forced cut since the International Cycling Union (UCI) seized its disciplinary commission on Monday.
Much more proactive since the frightful accident of the Dutchman Fabio Jakobsen (Deceuninck-Quick Step) during the Tour of Poland on August 5, who remained in a coma for two days before an operation, the international body could quickly crack down in the direction of the Vosges.
"The UCI strongly condemns the dangerous driving of Nacer Bouhanni, guilty of having pushed Jake Stewart into the barriers during the final sprint of Cholet-Pays de la Loire this Sunday, can one read in a press release.
The UCI has decided to submit this incident to its disciplinary commission and demands appropriate sanctions given the seriousness of the act. ”
For having caused the fall of Jakobsen, the Belgian Dylan Groenewegen, also suspended by his training Jumbo-Visma, had been sentenced to nine months of suspension.
Composed of jurists and lawyers, the disciplinary commission then argued that the sanction was based on the period of unavailability of the Dutchman, who has since got back on a bicycle, and who is continuing his recovery phase.
No doubt that a possible sanction would be less salty for the Frenchman, but it would nonetheless be exemplary.
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