Team Sky’s Gianni Moscon has apologised after being kicked off the Tour de France after an altercation with Fortuneo-Samsic rider Elie Gesbert in the opening kilometre of the fifteenth stage from Millau to Carcassonne.

Team Sky posted a video of Moscon making the apology where he said that he “was sorry for today’s incident and I totally regret my actions.”

“I would like to personally apologise to Elie Gesbert for the incident on today’s stage. What happened was wrong and a bad example coming from me to everyone,” he added.

A video of the incident showed the Italian rider aiming a punch at Gesbert. The video footage was reviewed by the race jury who confirmed his expulsion this evening. The commissaires cited article 12.1040.30.1 of the UCI regulations, which addresses “acts of violence among riders” and outlines that riders can be disqualified in the event if “particular serious aggression.”

Team Sky Team Principal, Dave Brailsford, later issued a statement saying: “We support and accept the decision by the race organisers to exclude Gianni Moscon from the Tour de France. Gianni is desperately disappointed in his behaviour and knows that he has let himself, the Team and the race down.

“We will address this incident with Gianni once the Tour is complete and decide then if any further action should be taken. I would like to offer my sincere apologies to both Elie Gesbert and Team Fortuneo Samsic for this unacceptable incident.”

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