Intermarché-Circus-Wanty riders Madis Mihkels and Gerben Thijssen have been withdrawn by their team from the Tour of Guangxi in China after making a video with a "slanted eye" gesture and sharing it on Instagram.
Estonian rider Mihkels made the gesture - which would be widely regarded as racist - in a video which was later posted by Thijssen on Instagram, though the Belgian sprinter has now deactivated his Instagram account. The riders appear to have made and shared the video in jest, though it has now - unsurprisingly - backfired on them.
Intermarché-Circus-Wanty initially issued a statement saying it had withdrawn Mihkels from the stage race in China, the last World Tour event of the year. But the team then issued an updated statement saying Thijssen was also out of the event.
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“We sincerely regret the behaviour of our rider Madis Mihkels and Gerben Thijssen and the images shown on social media,” said Intermarché-Circus-Wanty in a statement on Wednesday morning.
“We would like to apologise to the Chinese people and fans, to the Government of Guangxi, to the Chinese cycling association, and all parties involved in the organisation of Tour of Guangxi for the image given of our sport.
“Forever, our team Intermarché-Circus-Wanty, composed of more than 15 nationalities in our project, and our partners always defend firmly equal opportunities and fight against daily racism. We will withdraw Madis Mihkels and Gerben Thijssen from the race and take the necessary disciplinary steps to close this incident.”
