The International Cycling Union (UCI) on Wednesday supported French rider Nacer Bouhanni, who announced earlier this week that he was harassed with racist insults on social networks.
The UCI condemned "very strongly the racist attacks" suffered by the former champion of France, following his downgrading for a dangerous sprint on March 28 in Cholet-Pays de la Loire.
"Nothing justifies the insults", she added about Bouhanni, "whatever the seriousness of the fault committed by the French rider".
The UCI also recalled having seized its disciplinary commission and requested sanctions against the sprinter of the Arkea-Samsic team.
"It's been eight days that I have received hundreds of messages, it turns to harassment," said Bouhanni, who announced Monday his intention to file a complaint.
The Briton Jake Stewart, packed against the barriers by the French at the arrival of Cholet, was also indignant.
"We will all agree or not on certain things but one thing should not be called into question: it is racism", reacted the British rider of the Groupama-FDJ team.
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