Race news

NSN discipline devo rider after punching fellow rider at Ster van Zwolle

NSN Development Team has taken disciplinary action after their rider Kiaan Watts struck Marijn Maas (BEAT Cycling Club p/b Saxo) during the Salverda Bouw Ster van Zwolle on Saturday. The 24-year-old New Zealander was already disqualified from the Dutch one day race following the incident.

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Kiaan Watts
Cor Vos

The incident occurred during the Salverda Bouw Ster van Zwolle, a UCI 1.2 race that traditionally opens the Dutch road season. Footage circulating after the race appeared to show Watts striking Maas during a tense moment in the peloton.

Shortly after the race, the team released a statement condemning the behaviour of their rider and apologising to those involved.

“NSN Development Team deeply regrets the actions of Kiaan Watts today at the Salverda Bouw Ster van Zwolle race,” the statement read.

“The team expects that its riders race in a sporting and professional manner at all times and wishes to extend an apology to Marijn Maas, the BEAT CC p/b Saxo team, race organisers, and the UCI commissaires.”

Watts was already disqualified from the race following the incident, but the team has also decided to take further internal action.

“As a result, the team has decided to remove Kiaan from Dorpenomloop Rucphen tomorrow to give him time to reflect on his actions and the consequences.”

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