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Is Moscon the most disliked rider in the peloton?

Members of the cycling community react to his most recent act of aggression

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March 2, 2020
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On a narrow road, 70 km from the finish of Kuurne-Brussel-Kuurne on Sunday, there was a crash in the peloton. Riders hit the ground, some tumbled into the ditch. A typical scramble to get back up and onto the road ensued.

Riders were collecting themselves and minding their own business when , Gianni Moscon, of team Ineos, surprised nobody by continuing his streak of  inappropriate and violent behaviour.

In an attempt to get to his bike under the pile of riders and other bikes, Moscon picked up someone else’s bike and threw it into the ditch, directly hitting B&B Hotels – Vital Concept rider Jens Debusschere.

Debusschere raised his hand to protect his head from the airborne bike. The chainwheel and the weight of the bike hit him, leaving a cut and some bruising on his hand.

UCI commissaires disqualified Moscon from the race shortly after the incident. He was filmed ripping off his numbers as he pulled out of the pack.

A history of violence

Moscon has demonstrated that this is a pattern of behaviour, not simply one bad decision. In 2017, he racially abused Kévin Reza at the Tour de Romandie, then was accused of crashing out Sebastien Reichenbach at the Tre Valli Varesine. In 2018 he was kicked out of the Tour de France for punching Elie Gesbert.

The cycling world reacts

In the wake of yet another Moscon incident, Twitter was full of the reactions from disappointed and angry members of the cycling community.

Zico Waeytens, ex-pro cyclist, current pro-boxer has some strong words for Moscon.

Kathryn Bertine has an idea for how to deal with Moscon.

Mihkel Räim of Israel Cycling Academy had one question.

Many called for INEOS to suspend Moscon.


And noted that he gives cycling a bad name.

Some clever wordplay from the Brits.


Phil Gaimon managed to throw shade at Moscon AND an old sponsor in one tweet.