Intermarché-Circus-Wanty have withdrawn young rider Madis Mihkels and his teammate Gerben Thijssen from the Gree-Tour of Guangxi 2023 after the Estonian rider made a gesture racist against Asian people on social media.
The original post was on Thijssen's Instagram story, but the Belgian rider has since removed his profile from the app.
An initial statement confirmed the withdrawn of Mihkels but a subsequent update announced that Thijssen had also been withdrawn from the final WorldTour race of the season.
“We sincerely regret the behaviour of our rider Madis Mihkels and Gerben Thijssen and the images shown on social media,” said Intermarché-Circus-Wanty in a press release.
“We would like to apologise to the Chinese people and fans, to the Government of Guangxi, to the Chinese cycling association, and all parties involved in the organisation of Tour of Guangxi for the image given of our sport.”
The team then announced their decision to remove the riders from the race.
“Forever, our team Intermarché-Circus-Wanty, composed of more than 15 nationalities in our project, and our partners always defend firmly equal opportunities and fight against daily racism,” ICW said.
“We will withdraw Madis Mihkels and Gerben Thijssen from the race and take the necessary disciplinary steps to close this incident.”
Later on Wednesday afternoon, the UCI announced that the incident had been referred to its Disciplinary Commission, citing article 12.4.004 of the UCI regulations relating to discrimination.
“Any person or entity subject to this Part who, by word or deed, demeans, discriminates against or denigrates a person or group of persons in a manner that violates human dignity on the grounds of race, colour, sex, sexual orientation, religion, political belief, language, ethnic or national origin or social condition shall receive a disciplinary sanction,” reads the regulation.
The UCI commended Intermarché-Circus-Wanty for the team’s quick reaction to the social media post and noted the riders had exprewssed their apologies for their actions in a meeting with local authorities.
“The UCI commends the swift reaction of the two riders’ team, Intermarché-Circus-Wanty, which decided to withdraw them from the Gree-Tour of Guangxi and assess the disciplinary actions it may take following the incident. The event organiser also acted quickly by organising a meeting with those concerned and the local authorities, during which the riders expressed their apologies,” read a statement issued by the UCI.
“The UCI has decided to refer the matter to the UCI Disciplinary Commission for a possible breach of article 12.4.004 of the UCI Regulations… The UCI unequivocally condemns all forms of racist and discriminatory behaviour and is committed, through the UCI Constitution, the UCI Regulations and its programmes, to ensuring integrity, diversity, inclusion and equality in cycling.”
UCI regulations do not proscribe a set punishment for racist actions, though the disciplinary measures available to the Disciplinary Commission range from warnings, educational measures and fines to harsher measures such as suspension from involvement in cycling and the withdrawal of licences.
In 2021, the coach of the German team at the Olympic Games was given a reprimand for making racist comments about Algerian cyclist Azzedine Lagab, while in 2017, Team Sky pre-empted the UCI by giving Gianni Moscon a six-week ban for racially abusing Kévin Reza during the Tour de Romandie.
The Tour of Guangxi begins on Thursday from Beihai and is the final men’s WorldTour race of the 2023 season.
