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Video: Some favourites disqualified from Scheldeprijs for ignoring level train crossing

Arnaud Demare, Dylan Groenewegen and Hugo Houle amoung those disqualified as per UCI rules

Level crossing train

Pre-race favourites Arnaud Demare and Dyland Groenewegen were amoung a group of disqualified from Scheldeprijs on Wednesday. A group of riders contesting the mid-week Belgium spring classic Scheldeprijs were disqualified for ignoring a level crossing as the barriers came down. The 200 km race features three cobbled sections but is largely an affair for the sprinters with Marcel Kittel winning four of the last five editions.

As part of the peloton which was fractured as a result of crosswinds came to a train crossing the barriers began to come down. The group had to stop but some riders sneaked through ignoring rules the UCI put in place to prevent riders from putting themselves in danger as a result of the race interruption.

Following the incident, as per UCI rules, the race jury disqualified the large group of riders who had passed through the crossing as the barriers came down. Canadian Hugo Houle, Demare, Groenewegen, Tony Martin and Kris Boeckmans were amoung those ejected from the race.

“It is strictly forbidden to cross level crossings when the barrier is down or closing, the warning signal ringing or flashing,” the UCI rule books reads.

The rule which was introduced after the 2015 Paris-Roubaix in which a number of riders dangerously passed through a level crossing goes on to state that riders can face up to one-month suspension and a fine if the jury decides further actions are appropriate.

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“Apart from risking the penalty for such an offence as provided by law, offending riders shall be eliminated from the competition by the commissaries; besides, the disciplinary commision may impose a suspension of up to one month as well as a fine of CHF 200 to 5,000.”

Demare has been targeting the spring classics and is scheduled to race Paris-Roubaix on Sunday where he finished sixth last year.