Marcel Kittel (Quick Step Floors) has refused to accept an apology from Astana rider Andrey Grivko who punched the race leader during today’s third stage of the Dubai Tour.
Grivko was later disqualified from the race for what the commissaires described as “acts of violence among riders” and also received a fine of 200 Swiss Francs. That blow left Kittel with a deep cut and blood streaming down his face.
The Astana team offered an apology to Kittel after the stage as they tweeted: “Astana Proteam apologizes to @marcelkittel and @quickstepteam for improper behavior of its rider @andrei_007 during stage 3 of @dubaitour”
However, Kittel tweeted afterwards: “I won’t accept an apology for this. That has nothing to do with cycling. What Grivko did is a shame for our beautiful sport.”
“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,” the German sprinter said afterwards.
“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.”
Won’t demand apologies for his teammates, won’t accept apologies for himself.
At least there’s some kind of consistency there
I wouldn’t mess with Kittel. He looks like he’d be handy in a fight.
It’s shocking, I know there can be bit of argy bargy in a race, especially during sprints, but there’s no need for a mid-race punch up.
No kidding Dave Harper. That kid looks like he’d make a bear think twice before attacking.
Sigi
New to cycling. Is bumping allowed or not. Looks like Kittles and Bits was trying to bump his way up and he even admits to pushing though he claims his hands never left his bars. So does the UCI view this as bullying in regards to their rules? If so isn’t Kittle in danger of being penalized as well? Can someone school me on unwritten rules of rubbing and bumping? Have first big cat 5 event in August. Should I anticipate this behavior?
“If he dies, he dies”
the lady with a dick… 🙁
A whole 200 Swiss Francs!!
Pussy.
Teach the jerk a royal lesson