Etixx directeur sportif suspended from Tour de France stage after failing to wear seatbelt

Etixx - Quick-Step directeur sportif Davide Bramati won't be allowed in the support car during stage six of the Tour after he was spotted not wearing his seatbelt during a video celebrating Tony Martin's win

You may have watched the video of jubilant celebrations in the Etixx - Quick-Step team cars after Tony Martin soloed to stage victory and the yellow jersey on day four of the Tour de France. But what you may not have noticed, was that directeur sportif, Davide Bramati (the one who shouts "si, si, si!" alot), wasn't wearing his seatbelt.

Now the Italian is facing a suspension from the team car on stage six of the Tour into Le Havre, according to reports, after organisers ASO spotted the non-compliance with safety regulations in the video posted on the Etixx Youtube site.

>>> Tony Martin’s emotional rollercoaster ends with yellow jersey at last

The video has since been removed by Etixx, while the man himself tweeted about the incident on Thursday morning, saying he made a 'mistake'.

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It'll mean that another staff member will have to get behind the wheel in support of the Etixx riders, who are looking to keep Martin in yellow for another stage after he took the lead on the cobbles into Cambrai on Tuesday.

Bramati has been a DS with the team since 2006 when he finished his professional riding career and has become known for his exuberent reactions in the car when an Etixx rider wins.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bucNALUlfd8

Bramati celebrates Matteo Trentin's win from the 2014 Tour de France

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Richard Windsor

Follow on Twitter: @richwindy


Richard is digital editor of Cycling Weekly. Joining the team in 2013, Richard became editor of the website in 2014 and coordinates site content and strategy, leading the news team in coverage of the world's biggest races and working with the tech editor to deliver comprehensive buying guides, reviews, and the latest product news.


An occasional racer, Richard spends most of his time preparing for long-distance touring rides these days, or getting out to the Surrey Hills on the weekend on his Specialized Tarmac SL6 (with an obligatory pub stop of course).