NSN Rider UCI Disqualification & Race Withdrawal

New Zealander Kiaan Watts has been sidelined by his NSN Development Team following an incident at the Salverda Bouw Ster van Zwolle race on Saturday, with the rider also disqualified from that race.

The 24 year old struck the Dutchman Marijn Maas (BEAT CC p/b Saxo) on the helmet with just under 34km remaining in the 1.2-ranked event. The incident which was caught on camera.

He was disqualified by the race commissaires, and later told he would not be riding his next event.

“NSN Development Team deeply regrets the action of Kiaan Watts today at the Salverda Bouw Ster van Zwolle race,” his squad said on social media. “The team expects that its riders race in a sporting and professional manner at all times and wishes to extend an apology to Marijn Maas, the BEAT CC p/b Saxo team, race organisers and the UCI commissaires.

“As a result, the team has decided to remove Kiaan from Dorpenomlop Rucphen tomorrow to give him time to reflect on his action and the consequences.”

Watts is a two time stage winer in the New Zealand Cycle Classic and also took a stage in this year’s Tour of Southland.

He showed contrition in a social media post.

‘I have apologised in person but I want to also publicly apologise to Marijn Maas from BEAT CC p/b Saxo team for my actions today, as well as my team and sponsors, the Salverda Bouw Ster van Zwolle race organisers, and UCI commissaires,” he wrote.

“I deeply regret what I did in the heat of the moment and will take the time to reflect on my actions and learn from this.”