Let the tank pass!

-

KENZO TRIBOUILLARD / AFP

It's time for explanations.

A few hours after being excluded from the Tour de France because of a violent spat with a UCI (Union cycliste internationale) controller, Merijn Zeeman, the sports director in the Jumbo-Visma team, returned on the reasons for this altercation while admitting to have lost his temper in an abusive manner.

The clash took place when the UCI wanted to carry out a check on Primoz Roglic's bike, in order to see if it complied with the race regulations.

Except that “the bike was damaged and the crankset had to be replaced in the evening,” the Dutch team told us in an official press release.

Reaction to Merijn Zeeman's exclusion from Tour de France⤵️

- Team Jumbo-Visma cycling (@JumboVismaRoad) September 17, 2020

Zeeman allowed to stay with the Jumbo

“I got angry when the commissioner took the crankset apart.

We are fighting for a fair sport and that involves checks, but they must be carried out in a reasonable way.

Having said that, I should have been more respectful in my approach to the UCI commissioner, ”admitted Zeeman calmly.

“The nature of the altercation that took place during the control led to a severe sanction from the UCI against Merijn Zeeman, who apologized immediately afterwards and who, like the whole team, regrets that the discussion ignited.

It was only a question of words, there was no jostling or other physical contact ”, also continues the Dutch formation which apparently did not quite digest the exclusion of its DS .

According to

L'Equipe

, if Zeeman will no longer be able to perform his duties until the arrival on the Champs on Sunday, he was still allowed to stay with his family until the end of the Tour de France.

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