Luke Rowe and Tony Martin kicked out of Tour de France after altercation on stage 17
The German was caught on camera swerving into Rowe at the front of the peloton
Luke Rowe and Tony Martin have both been kicked off the Tour de France after an altercation on stage 17.
Jumbo-Visma workhorse Martin was filmed swerving in front of the Welshman, almost causing Rowe to fall in the final of the run to Gap.
The footage then shows Rowe putting his hands on Martin in the bunch immediately after.
UPDATE: Team Ineos looking into appeal after Luke Rowe kicked off Tour de France 2019
Rowe played down the moment after the stage, saying that tensions often fray deep into the three-week race.
But race commissaries announced at around 6.30pm after the stage that both riders would be sent home.
He said: “I don’t know how many Tours de France you’ve ridden but it does get a bit tense at times, but at the end of the day you’ve got to have broad shoulders and it’s no problem.
Get The Leadout Newsletter
The latest race content, interviews, features, reviews and expert buying guides, direct to your inbox!
“We rode the last 10km of the stage talking to each other.
“We’re both doing the same job. It was nothing really. I rolled over the line with him, we shook hands.
“We just got in each other’s way. That’s bike racing.”
UCI commissaires reviewed the footage of the incident after the stage with Team Ineos boss Sir Dave Brailsford and sports director Nicolas Portal.
Both riders have been removed from the day's results.
Brailsford told ITV after the decision: "They've decided to expel Tony and Luke from the race, which is incredibly harsh if I'm honest.
"I've watched the clip and there's no doubt about it Tony cut up Luke a little bit, he's fought for his position a little bit. It's nothing worse than you see on most days of the race. A pretty harsh decision."
An emotional Rowe added: "We were both trying to do a job. Maybe we both overstepped the mark slightly, but it feels harsh to be thrown off the race. Neither of us deserve that."
The incident was witnessed by race leader Julian Alaphilippe (Deceuninck – Quick-Step), who said he tried to defuse the situation.
Alaphilippe said: “There was a lot of tension in the peloton with everyone wanting to be well place. It was nervous. I think people were worried someone was going to attack.
“I just tried to calm the situation. There was no need to take risks.”
TV cameras captured the moment that Martin veered towards Rowe at the front of the bunch, forcing him to the right of the road.
>>> Luke Rowe: I feel like I’ve let the team and myself down
Rowe’s front wheel skips as he moves out of the way towards the fans stood at the edge of the race.
There was no action in the general classification race back in the peloton, as Matteo Trentin rode away from a 30-rider breakaway to claim the stage honours.
Rowe and Martin crossed the line in the bunch 20 minutes behind the winner, with their respective team leaders, Geraint Thomas and Steven Kruijswijk also finishing safely.
After the stage, Thomas said: "[Rowe] got me in a good position and then he sat up so, I don't know, they probably rolled in together because both jobs would have been finished then.
"It's the same all the time. Luke, Tony Martin, Erviti, Movistar, other guys and other teams, they all do the same job, they've got to get their leaders into a good position. So they always end up jostling for position. That's always happening. It was nothing crazy really."
Thank you for reading 20 articles this month* Join now for unlimited access
Enjoy your first month for just £1 / $1 / €1
*Read 5 free articles per month without a subscription
Join now for unlimited access
Try first month for just £1 / $1 / €1
Alex Ballinger is editor of BikeBiz magazine, the leading publication for the UK cycle industry, and is the former digital news editor for CyclingWeekly.com. After gaining experience in local newsrooms, national newspapers and in digital journalism, Alex found his calling in cycling, first as a reporter, then as news editor responsible for Cycling Weekly's online news output, and now as the editor of BikeBiz. Since pro cycling first captured his heart during the 2010 Tour de France (specifically the Contador-Schleck battle) Alex covered three Tours de France, multiple editions of the Tour of Britain, and the World Championships, while both writing and video presenting for Cycling Weekly. He also specialises in fitness writing, often throwing himself into the deep end to help readers improve their own power numbers. Away from the desk, Alex can be found racing time trials, riding BMX and mountain bikes, or exploring off-road on his gravel bike. He’s also an avid gamer, and can usually be found buried in an eclectic selection of books.
-
Collapsed lung, concussion and multiple fractures: Fundraiser set up for first ever Tour de France Féminin winner following crash
Marianne Martin crashed earlier in October and is looking to raise $20,000 to help her get back on her feet
By Adam Becket Published
-
Gravel riders - get ready, set, register! A guide to 2025's biggest gravel events and key registration dates
Here are the registration dates for gravel’s biggest events around the globe
By Anne-Marije Rook Published
-
'I can help get the team back to where it was' - 20-year-old Artem Shmidt looks to the future after Ineos Grenadiers' disappointing season
Shmidt hoping to help revitalise team backed by Jim Ratcliffe after season of woes and as star rider Tom Pidcock gets set to move on
By Tom Thewlis Published
-
'I don’t think the people around Tom help' - Geraint Thomas on the Tom Pidcock and Ineos Grenadiers situation
Pidcock was "deselected" from Il Lombardia on Saturday, with the rider taking to Instagram to discuss decision
By Tom Thewlis Published
-
Tom Pidcock 'deselected' from Ineos Grenadiers squad for Il Lombardia
British rider says 'I guess off season starts early' in Instagram post
By Tom Davidson Published
-
Ineos Grenadiers have had their worst season ever, and the woes appear not to be over. What’s next for the super-team of a bygone era?
With Tom Pidcock possibly off to Q36.5 and Luke Rowe leaving, the news is not quiet around the British WorldTour squad
By Adam Becket Published
-
Luke Rowe to leave Ineos Grenadiers, joins Decathlon AG2R La Mondiale as a sports director
The Welsh rider spent 13 years with the British squad
By Adam Becket Published
-
Remco Evenepoel puts transfer speculation to bed ahead of World Championships road race
'I'll stay where I am' says Double Olympic champion as he confirms he will remain at Soudal Quick-Step next season
By Tom Thewlis Published
-
'You can't sugarcoat it' - Luke Rowe says Ineos Grenadiers are 'underperforming'
British squad's experienced road captain believes his team has been "overtaken" by others
By Tom Davidson Published
-
Steve Cummings replaced by Tom Pidcock's coach in Tour of Britain management team shake-up at Ineos Grenadiers
Cummings was on the provisional start list submitted to the race organiser, but was replaced by Kurt Bogaerts
By Tom Thewlis Published