Cycling Apr 11, 2026

Cyclist Kiaan Watts banned for punching fellow rider in head during race

👤
By Admin
Sports Journalist
Cyclist Kiaan Watts banned for punching fellow rider in head during race

World cycling's governing body has ‌banned New Zealand's Kiaan Watts for 25 days after he ‌punched a fellow rider during a race ​last month.

Video footage showed the 24-year-old punching Dutch cyclist Marijn Maas in ​the head during the ‌Salverda Bouw Ster van Zwolle race in the Netherlands ​on March 7.

The Union Cycliste Internationale said Watts had accepted the sanction and will serve a ​suspension until May 2.

"Kiaan Watts ⁠will serve a ⁠period of suspension of 25 days, with the one-day suspension ‌imposed on the rider by his team on March 8 being credited from the ‌period of suspension," the UCI said in a statement.

After the incident, Watts posted an apology on social media and said he ⁠had acted in the heat ​of the moment, while his NSN ​Development Team also issued an ​apology.

"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," it said.

Tags:

cycling news

Share this article

Related Posts

Cyclist Kiaan Watts banned for punching fellow rider in head during race

Cyclist Kiaan Watts banned for punching fellow rider in head during race

World cycling's governing body has ‌banned New Zealand's Kiaan Watts for 25 days after he ‌punched a fellow rider during a race ​last month.Video foot...

Sir Chris Hoy: 'I recently broke my leg in worst cycling crash I've ever had - I'm still on crutches but doing well'

Sir Chris Hoy: 'I recently broke my leg in worst cycling crash I've ever had - I'm still on crutches but doing well'

When Sir Chris Hoy revealed a year ago that he’d been given the devasting news of a terminal diagnosis from prostate cancer, it was his smile and zest...

Sir Chris Hoy: 'I recently broke my leg in worst cycling crash I've ever had - I'm still on crutches but doing well'

Sir Chris Hoy: 'I recently broke my leg in worst cycling crash I've ever had - I'm still on crutches but doing well'

When Sir Chris Hoy revealed a year ago that he’d been given the devasting news of a terminal diagnosis from prostate cancer, it was his smile and zest...

Chris Froome: Four-time Tour de France champion airlifted to hospital after 'serious crash' near Toulon

Chris Froome: Four-time Tour de France champion airlifted to hospital after 'serious crash' near Toulon

British four-time Tour de France winning cyclist Chris Froome is in stable condition awaiting surgery after a training crash in southern France.The 40-year-old...

Chris Froome: Four-time Tour de France champion undergoes successful surgery following 'serious crash' near Toulon

Chris Froome: Four-time Tour de France champion undergoes successful surgery following 'serious crash' near Toulon

Four-time Tour de France champion Chris Froome has undergone "successful" surgery after a serious training accident in France that left him with a fractured ver...

England name Commonwealth Games cycling team for Gold Coast

England name Commonwealth Games cycling team for Gold Coast

Cycling world champions Emily Nelson, Charlie Tanfield, Ethan Hayter and Kian Emadi have all been named in England’s team for the Commonwealth Games.The quartet...