Justin Williams suspended for the second time within two seasons for an in-race incident

L39ion of Los Angeles’ leader, Justin Williams, has been suspended a second time within last two years, following a crash at the Audi Denver Littleton Criterium on August 5. In-race footage revealed Williams shooting up the inside of a left-hand turn next to Thomas Gibbons of Automatic-ABUS Racing, before taking him back across to the right side of the road where the pair crashed along the curb.

The pair had a verbal exchange following the crash, for which Gibbons was reportedly fined $250 for the use of foul language. Williams, meanwhile, is looking at a 60-day suspension due to be served from 13 April to 13 June next year – a period that takes in a number of major criterium races as part of Speedweek and the American Criterium Cup.

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"As a result, Williams, who was penalized in 2022 for fighting at the Salt Lake City Criterium, will be suspended for 60 days for dangerous riding. His suspension will begin on April 13, 2024, and conclude on June 13, 2024. The suspension dates reflect the provisional start date of the American Criterium Cup (ACC) for 2024. He has also been fined $250 for unsportsmanlike conduct. Gibbons will also be fined $250 for unsportsmanlike conduct," a representative of USA Cycling told Cycling Weekly.

A USAC official confirmed with Cycling Weekly that penalties may take into account past wrongdoing but that does not appear to be the case with this reported 60-day suspension for Williams — a fact that has upset other teams.

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"This is the second consecutive year Justin has been suspended for violent behavior, and the suspension period is getting shorter. This isn't preventing dangerous behavior; it shows that it's becoming more tolerated by USAC," Lauren Dodge, manager of the Automatic-ABUS Racing team told Cyclingnews.

Last month in the heat of Littleton Twilight Crit I was involved in an accident with a fellow rider. Never in my life have I ridden with the intent to cause harm. This is high speed crit racing. Real time judgments are made in fractions of a second and unfortunately sometimes accidents happen," he wrote. "I keep my head high and will continue my mission to promote safe environments, educate riders of all ages, and advance diversity, equity, and inclusion within this sport," Williams stated on his social media.

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