Van Schip furious after latest disqualification over UCI dispute in Greece: 'They've found yet another excuse'

Jan-Willem van Schip (Azerion / Villa Valkenburg) has been disqualified during stage 2 of the Tour of Hellas. The 31-year-old Dutchman, known for his innovative measures, was informed that he had been disqualified midway through the second stage of the Greek stage race due to a handlebar infraction.

Speaking to Wielerflits, Van Schip’s team boss, Paul Tabak, confirmed that the UCI had deemed that the way Van Schip held his handlebars was not permitted. Though the team confirmed also they have all the approved documentation for Van Schip's bike.

“We read in emails that they [UCI] are keeping an eye on us. They don't tolerate anything from us, sock height and things like that. We have to deal with this,” Tabak told Wielerflits. 

“Jan-Willem himself is furious. But if we let him keep riding like this, we're going to get this every time Van Schip appears at the start line somewhere," added Tabak.

In a post to Instagram following his disqualification, Van Schip expressed his displeasure with the situation, describing the situation as a tragedy and stating that "They've found yet another excuse to mess with me."

It marks a blow for the Dutch team, less than 24 hours after Van Schip's Belgian teammate Mathis Avondts sprinted to victory on the opening stage in Agrinio.

This isn’t the first instance of the Dutchman finding himself in dispute with the sports governing powers. 

For example, Van Schip was disqualified from the NIBC Tour of Holland at the end of the 2025 season for riding with a seatpost that allegedly violated UCI regulations. Van Schip had also been disqualified from the 2024 Heistse Pijl and stage 3 of the Baloise Belgium Tour in 2021.