Cyclist Handed 25-Day Ban for On-Road Altercation

The governing body of world cycling has imposed a 25-day suspension on New Zealand cyclist Kiaan Watts following an incident in which he physically assaulted a fellow competitor during a race. Footage from the event, which took place last month, shows Watts, 24, punching Dutch rider Marijn Maas in the head during the Salverda Bouw Ster van Zwolle race in the Netherlands on March 7. The Union Cycliste Internationale (UCI) has confirmed that Watts has accepted the penalty and will be suspended until May 2. According to the UCI, Watts will serve the suspension, with a one-day team-imposed penalty on March 8 being deducted from the overall suspension period. In the aftermath of the incident, Watts issued a public apology on social media, attributing his actions to a momentary lapse in judgment. His team, NSN Development Team, also extended an apology for the incident. The team emphasized its expectation that all riders must conduct themselves in a professional and sporting manner at all times, and expressed regret to Marijn Maas, the BEAT CC p/b Saxo team, race organizers, and the UCI Commissaires.