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New Zealand cyclist Kiaan Watts Suspended after Punching Rider

New Zealand cyclist Kiaan Watts has been suspended for 25 days by the UCI after punching Dutch rider Marijn Maas during a race. Watts has accepted his suspension, and both he and his team have publicly apologized for the incident, which was captured on video.

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The Union Cycliste Internationale (UCI), the worldwide governing body for cycling, has imposed a 25-day suspension on New Zealand cyclist Kiaan Watts following a violent altercation during a race in the Netherlands. An incident on March 7 saw Watts striking fellow cyclist Marijn Maas in the head during the Salverda Bouw Ster van Zwolle race.
 
The incident, which took place around 34km from the finish of the Dutch one-day race on 7 March, showed Watts reaching across and striking fellow rider Marijn Maas with a closed fist during a tense moment in the peloton.
 
Watts was immediately disqualified from the race by the commissaires panel, receiving a CHF 200 fine and a deduction of 25 UCI points. The governing body has now confirmed further disciplinary action, with the rider accepting a 25-day suspension under UCI regulations.
 
Watts has accepted the consequences of his actions and expressed his readiness to comply with the suspension, which remains in effect until May 2. Notably, the single-day suspension previously set by his team on March 8 will count towards the overall period of suspension, according to the UCI's announcement.
 
In response to the incident, Watts publicly apologized on social media, admitting his reaction was made in the heat of the moment. His team, NSN Development Team, also issued an apology, underscoring their commitment to maintaining sportsmanlike conduct and extending apologies to Marijn Maas, the BEAT CC p/b Saxo team, race officials, and organizers.

VIDEO: New Zealand cyclist Kiaan Watts Suspended after Punching Rider