Tuesday 5 September 2017 21:59, UK
Two AG2R La Mondiale cyclists have been withdrawn from the Vuelta a Espana cycling race for deliberately holding onto the team car during the race.
The incident, involving Alexandre Geniez and Nico Denz, is said to have happened on Stage 15 of the race this Sunday.
The images were captured on mobile phone and posted on the Twitter post @velocast in the early hours of this morning.
After reviewing the footage the management decided to withdraw the two riders from the Grand Tour.
The team have issued this apology: "The AG2R LA MONDIALE team sincerely apologizes to the organizers and the public for the unsportsmanlike behaviour of our riders, which is contrary to our values and our ethics."
The 2017 Vuelta is the first Grand Tour of Denz's career. The 23-year-old German was in 130th place overall at the conclusion of stage 15. For Geniez, the Grand Tour was the 11th of his career.
Geniez is a two-time stage winner at the Vuelta and made his debut at the race in 2011 and issued a statement of apology via social media on the morning of stage 16.
He said: "I made a mistake in hanging on to the car of the sports director during the final of the 15th stage of the Vuelta. The team management of tAG2R-La Mondiale has decided to remove me from the Vuelta a Espana. This is difficult but I have to accept it
"I sincerely apologize to the organizers and the public, but also to my teammates for this behaviour contrary to the values of my employer.
"I had a tough start to the season and today I just want to show on the bike that this incident does not reflect my vision of the sport."
Denz made the following statement: "I decided to hang for several metres on the back of the sports director's car in the final of the 15tn stage of the Vuelta. This was an error and I regret it.
"The team has decided to exclude me from the Vuelta. It's difficult to leave the race because this was my first Grand Tour but I have accepted it.
"I apologise sincerely to the organisers and the public but also to my team mates for this behaviour which is contrary to the values of my employer.
"I hope to get back on my bike. This incident does not reflect on my vision of the sport."
