Cyclist gets 9-month ban for crash that left rival in coma
Cyclist Dylan Groenewegen was banned from racing for nine months on Wednesday for causing a sprint-finish crash that left a rival in a coma and with severe facial injuries.
The International Cycling Union said its disciplinary panel ruled Groenewegen cannot compete again until May 7. He will miss the spring season of oneday classic races plus week-long races including Paris-Nice, where he has won stages in previous seasons.
"The crash in the first stage of the Tour of Poland will forever be a black page in my career," the Dutch rider said in a statement published by his Jumbo-Visma team.
Groenewegen, who has four Tour de France stage wins in his career, veered right in a sprint to the finish line on Aug. 5, forcing Fabio Jakobsen to crash into roadside barriers.
Jakobsen was awarded the stage win after Groenewegen was disqualified. He was treated in a medically induced coma and left needing reconstructive surgery on his face and jaw.
The UCI said Groenewegen "acknowledged that he deviated from his line and committed a violation" of race rules.
"I hope this has been a wise lesson for every sprinter," Groenewegen said. "I follow the news of Fabio's recovery very closely. I can only hope that one day he will return completely."
British cycling coach dismissed for gross misconduct
Britain's cycling team dismissed podium sprint coach Kevin Stewart for gross misconduct, including for what was described as a "long-term pattern of inappropriate relationships with riders".
Stewart failed to act on repeated warnings about his conduct, and that "his behaviors fell short of the values and standards expected," the governing body said.
An investigation into Stewart's conduct had found no evidence of a physical relationship between himself and any members of the team, the governing body added.
Stewart, who would have been an integral part of Britain's medals bid at next year's delayed Tokyo Olympics, apologized and acknowledged his actions made his position untenable.
British Cycling said the grounds for Stewart's dismissal also included a failure to follow the specific directions with regard to respecting athletes' personal boundaries, inappropriate use of electronic communication, and actions bringing the organisation into disrepute.
"I wholeheartedly apologize to the team for my actions, which I acknowledge were not acceptable," Stewart said. "I realized my actions had made my position on the team untenable and had handed in my resignation before being dismissed while on my notice period."