Statement on Alexey Lutsenko’s disqualification from Tour of Hainan

Today, following the 3rd stage of the Tour of Hainan, after a racing incident during the intermediate sprint, Astana Qazaqstan Team rider Alexey Lutsenko was disqualified and withdrawn from the race by the race commissaires for “deviating from the chosen line that endangers another rider”.

“The decision by the commissaires came as a surprise to us. Yes, there was an unfortunate racing incident during the intermediate sprint when Alexey collided with a rider from another team, resulting in a crash. The riders’ wheels got tangled; this happens: someone looks one way during the sprint, someone else looks another… such moments are common in racing, it was an accident. Yes, the commissaires could have penalized the rider in some way, but to remove him from the race? Our team completely disagrees with this decision. Alexey did nothing in that moment to warrant disqualification. We regret that the crash happened, it’s very unfortunate, but Alexey Lutsenko is not to blame. And this is our position on the matter”, – commented Alexandr Vinokurov, General Manager of Astana Qazaqstan Team.

Photo credit: @SprintCycling