Four months later, the UCI suspends Filip Maciejuk for his ride at Flanders

On Tuesday, the Union Cycliste Internationale (UCI) announced it will suspend Filip Maciejuk for a month following his actions at the Tour of Flanders in April.

Filip Maciejuk’s Flanders ride came to an abrupt end when he caused a severe crash involving numerous riders, some of whom required hospitalization. As a consequence of his actions, he was immediately disqualified from the race.

UCI to investigate Filip Maciejuk after his actions in Tour of Flanders

The Bahrain-Victorious rider attempted to advance to the front by utilizing the shoulder of the road. Unaware of a wet grass section, he lost control and unintentionally veered into the peloton, causing a significant pile-up. The incident was clearly accidental, and later, the rider issued an apology for his role in the crash.

According to a statement from the Disciplinary Commission, the rider was found to have acted in breach of article 12.4.007 of the UCI Regulations, “for having caused the crash of several riders in the peloton after riding outside of the race course and through a puddle on the roadside.”

Maciejuk’s suspension began on July 25 and will last 30 days.

“The UCI is committed to continuing its work to make road cycling a safer sport for riders and reiterates that dangerous behaviour has no place in modern cycling,” The statement read. “Therefore, the UCI issues a reminder that it is strictly prohibited for riders to use sidewalks, lanes or cycle paths that do not form part of the race course and that any breach of the rules of safety or care which causes immediate risk to others shall be subject to disciplinary action.”