"DQ is not enough, UCI will have to send a signal" - Former Cyclocross World Champion condemns Eli Iserbyt's actions in Beringen

Lars van der Haar's victory in the first "big" cyclocross of this winter was overshadowed by an event that occured in earlier phases of the race. When Ryan Kamp and Eli Iserbyt collided, the two shouted some select words on eachother after which Iserbyt stomped and on Kamp's lying bicycle, destroying it. The 2003 and 2004 CX world champion Bart Wellens had little understanding for his actions.

The former cyclo-cross rider once karate-kicked a spectator himself. "But deliberately kicking a colleague's material - if I may say so bluntly - to the nuts, that's just not done. Whatever impulse it happens in, that's not something you do among colleagues," Wellens says in Het Nieuwsblad. "Every cyclo-cross rider knows how much every other cyclo-cross rider has to do to be good." Iserbyt did later offer his apologies, but that was too late, according to the columnist.

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Wellens knows that Iserbyt's Dutch competitor is a tough racer, but he can appreciate that. "Okay, Kamp doesn't have the reputation of being a softie. Ryan is someone who often gets into a clinch. But that's part of cyclo-cross, I even think it happens too little. Ryan is a bit of the salt and pepper that cyclo-cross has been missing in recent years. He fights for his place, sometimes even gives a slap. And why not? As long as he keeps his hands to himself, I think it's okay."

Iserbyt said afterwards that the action was a reaction to something Kamp had shouted at him after the collision. He also stated that the Dutchman often cuts people off. But that does not justify the Belgian's action, says his compatriot. "And if it was really too rude, then Eli would do well to say what was shouted. Then it would justify his reaction."

"Honestly: I think there will be a tail to this," Wellens continues. "An exclusion is not enough, the UCI will have to send a signal. Suppose you have a bad day, someone rides you into the barrier and what do you do? Just stomp on that colleague's bike so that he can't go any further. You yourself will be excluded but what does it matter? The UCI will have to think carefully about what they are going to do with this," he concludes.

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