Cyclist Receives 25-Day Ban for Physically Assaulting Opponent During Competition

The international governing body for cycling has imposed a 25-day suspension on New Zealand cyclist Kiaan Watts following an incident where he struck a fellow competitor in the head during a recent event. Footage of the incident, which occurred on March 7 at the Salverda Bouw Ster van Zwolle race in the Netherlands, shows Watts, 24, punching Dutch cyclist Marijn Maas. The Union Cycliste Internationale (UCI) announced that Watts has accepted the penalty, which will be in effect until May 2. According to the UCI, the suspension includes a one-day penalty previously imposed by Watts' team on March 8. Watts took to social media to apologize for his actions, attributing them to a moment of extreme emotion, while his team, NSN Development Team, also issued a formal apology. The team emphasized its expectation for riders to conduct themselves in a professional and sporting manner at all times, extending apologies to Maas, the BEAT CC p/b Saxo team, event organizers, and UCI officials.