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Jan Willem van Schip faces another disqualification, this time at the final stage of the Ronde de L'Oise. Here’s why this ongoing saga raises serious questions about rules in cycling.
The Dutch rider, competing for Azerion-Villa Valkenburg, claims he was disqualified for having a water bottle tucked in his jersey during stage 4. In a recent Instagram post, Van Schip described his confusion, revealing he asked a race official about his cycling position as the jury passed by. He received no clear explanation until after being pulled from the race, later learning it was due to the placement of his water bottle.
The jury cites rule 2.12.007 3.2, which prohibits non-compliant clothing or accessories. In addition to disqualification, Van Schip faces a CHF 200 fine, plus another CHF 100 for not adhering to race instructions.
The UCI recently announced a new rule banning internal pockets in jerseys, set to take effect July 1. It’s unclear whether Van Schip’s jersey had such a pocket, but this situation reflects the ongoing tension between riders and evolving regulations. This latest incident adds to Van Schip’s frustrations, as he previously expressed feeling unwelcome in the sport after two other disqualifications in the past eight months.
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