Cycling: Tony Martin (Jumbo – Visma) and Luke Rowe (Ineos) have been ruled out of the Tour de France. The German and the Welshman were involved in a scuffle on the bike, which was captured by video cameras.
Martin & Rowe clash
Actually, the 17th stage of the Tour de France was quite comfortable in the peloton. But before the final climb, Tony Martin (Jumbo – Visma) and Luke Rowe (Ineos) clashed. As video cameras recorded, the Welshman wanted to overtake the German on the right-hand side of the road. But Tony Martin pushed Luke Rowe off the road and wouldn't let him pass. It is not known what happened before this action and why Tony Martin reacted in this way. But there are also TV pictures showing Luke Rowe merging into the Jumbo - Visma train. He seemed to push Steven Kruijswijk away. He also grabbed a jumbo driver's face with his hand. However, it has not yet been possible to determine whether these scenes took place before or after Tony Martin's action.
? | Extended video from Moto 5 of Rowe vs Martin incident. #TDF2019 pic.twitter.com/8URf0V0NDg
- La Flamme Rouge (@ laflammerouge16) July 24, 2019
Sorry via shared video message
Both have now been excluded from the Tour de France due to unsportsmanlike conduct. The jury met for more than two hours and then announced the decision. Luke Rowe and Tony Martin released a joint video message during the evening. They sit next to each other and talk about the incident. They apologize and acknowledge their mistakes, but think the disqualification is too harsh.
???????? #TDF2019
Statement from @tonymartin85 and @TeamINEOS @ LukeRowe1990 about today's race incident and the appeal⤵️ pic.twitter.com/yiPvSQMqt5
- Team Jumbo-Visma cycling (@JumboVismaRoad) July 24, 2019