Jan-Willem van Schip disqualified for the third time in a year

The Azerion/Villa Valkenburg rider did not appear in the results of Sunday’s closing stage, with race commissaires removing him from the event over “non-compliant clothing equipment”. Van Schip was handed a 200 CHF fine for the infringement, as well as an additional 500 CHF penalty for failing to follow the instructions of the commissaires. 

According to La Flamme Rouge, Van Schip’s disqualification was related to the use of bottles underneath his clothing.

It is the latest chapter in an increasingly strained relationship between Van Schip and cycling’s rule enforcers. Exactly one month earlier, the 31-year-old was disqualified from the Tour of Hellas after commissaires ruled that his riding position was illegal, with his forearms resting on the handlebars. 

Following that decision, Van Schip reacted angrily on social media, suggesting that officials had “found yet another excuse” to target him.

His team has previously argued that Van Schip’s equipment is approved and documented, and team manager Paul Tabak has repeatedly voiced frustration over what he sees as persistent scrutiny of the rider. 

After Van Schip was disqualified from the Tour of Holland in October 2025 over a disputed seatpost setup, Tabak said the team believed the component had been registered and cleared, and claimed the decision had come from UCI headquarters rather than the race commissaires on site.

At the Ronde de l’Oise, Van Schip had already been warned. During stage 2, he received a 200 CHF fine for a handlebar position judged to be dangerous to himself or his competitors, although he was allowed to continue on that occasion.

For Van Schip, a rider known for pushing the boundaries of aerodynamics and equipment setup, this marks his third disqualification in less than a year. The former track world champion has long been seen as one of the sport’s more unconventional innovators, but that same reputation now appears to be keeping him firmly under the spotlight.