Luke Rowe (Ineos) and Tony Martin (Jumbo-Visma) have been expelled from this year’s Tour de France after clashing on the final category 4 climb of the 17th stage that finished in Gap yesterday.
Rowe, who was their team’s road captain, and Martin were found guilty of assault according to article 2.12.007/8.2.1 of the UCI code.
According to reports, Martin allegedly tried to take Rowe off the road by swerving to the right. The duo clashed again when they were riding shoulder-to-shoulder at the front of the peloton.
In a press release, the UCI stated that apart from being expelled they were also each handed a 1 000 Swiss francs (R14 134) fine and docked 50 UCI points.
The two teams are currently trying to appeal the decision made by the cycling body.
We are disappointed that @LukeRowe1990 has been disqualified from #TDF2019 following a racing incident with Tony Martin. Along with @JumboVismaRoad, we are currently looking into an appeal. pic.twitter.com/Ge0PkpDezz
— Team INEOS (@TeamINEOS) July 24, 2019
🇫🇷 #TDF2019
The race jury @letour has taken @tonymartin85 out of the race. We appeal against that decision. More reactions to follow via our channels. pic.twitter.com/xaGkQrFanR
— Team Jumbo-Visma cycling (@JumboVismaRoad) July 24, 2019
In a joint statement, which was released last night, the teams said they believed this was a very harsh decision by the race commissaries and against the spirit of what had been “such a fantastic race to date”.
“It was the sort of incident that merits a fine and a warning but certainly not expulsion from the race – a ‘yellow card’ but not a ‘red’.
“Luke and Tony recognised it for what it was – a minor spat on the road at the end of a sweltering day in the saddle. It didn’t affect any other rider and it didn’t disadvantage any other team.”
They stated that the pair rode to the end of the stage together where they both shook hands.
“There was no ill will and they clearly still have a lot of respect for one another. We believe it is unjust that their Tour could come to an end over something like this at this point in the race.”
Rowe and Martin were 122nd and 158th respectively on the general classification, with the former’s teammate and defending champion Geraint Thomas currently second.
A joint interview with @LukeRowe1990 and @JumboVismaRoad‘s @tonymartin85 about today’s disqualification from #TDF2019 pic.twitter.com/MPEqwWi7yv
— Team INEOS (@TeamINEOS) July 24, 2019
