Michael Albasini accused of making racist comment to Kevin Reza at Tour de France
Alleged incident occurred when Michael Albasini and Kevin Reza were in the escape group during stage 16 of the 2014 Tour de France

Kevin Reza on stage fifteen of the 2014 Tour de France

Switzerland's Michael Albasini (Orica-GreenEdge) is alleged to have called Frenchman Kévin Reza (Europcar) a "dirty negro" during Tuesday's Tour de France stage to Bagnères-de-Luchon, according to Europcar General Manager Jean-René Bernaudeau.
The two cyclists were met about the issue ahead of Wednesday's stage to Pla d'Adet, but Albasini denied that he had made the comment. Tour organiser ASO also met with Reza to discuss the matter.
"I do not tolerate racism," Bernaudeau told France's Sud Ouest website. "After doping, it is the other scourge of the sport. I saw Kévin very upset after the stage."
Reza and Albasini were both in the 21-man escape from Carccassonne to Bagnères-de-Luchon on Tuesday. Reza placed 14th, Albasini 51st and fellow escapee Michael Rogers (Tinkoff-Saxo) won the stage.
Bernaudeau said that the reported comments were "unacceptable, inadmissible." The website reported that Bernaudeau called Albasini of Australian team Orica-GreenEdge later after the stage.
"I told him what I thought of his attitude," Bernaudeau continued. "He told me that this is not true. But I trust Kévin and he was bothered.
"I told Kevin to go Albasini at the start in Saint Gaudens. I will not go on further, but I do not want to let such a thing drop."
Get The Leadout Newsletter
The latest race content, interviews, features, reviews and expert buying guides, direct to your inbox!
Orica-GreenEdge communications director Bryan Nygaard tweeted on Wednesday morning that the two riders had met and that "misunderstandings cleared up, shook hands. No dramas."
Overnight, Orica-GreenEdge rider Simon Gerrans pulled out of the race to go home. Its cyclists Mat Hayman and Simon Yates already abandoned.
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
Gregor Brown is an experienced cycling journalist, based in Florence, Italy. He has covered races all over the world for over a decade - following the Giro, Tour de France, and every major race since 2006. His love of cycling began with freestyle and BMX, before the 1998 Tour de France led him to a deep appreciation of the road racing season.
-
I took my 10 year old to a Grand Tour and these are the surprising questions she asked me, and the IMPORTANT one she didn't!
Watching bike racing in person can be confusing. Here's the questions a 10 year old asks
-
Dr Sarah Ruggins breaks overall record for cycling length of Britain and back
Canadian only got into cycling a few years ago, but has now broken the LEJOGLE record
-
BikeExchange safe from WorldTour relegation, no more 'scrapping over points to the death'
"The points system is clearly broken" says Matt White, team's head directeur sportif
-
Tour de Yorkshire to be replaced with new look cycling event in 2024
Tour de Yorkshire not due to return to north of England, although initial plans announced for new cycling event in area
-
Kristen Faulkner takes a stunning solo win at the Giro Donne
Van Vleuten loses time but easily maintains a commanding lead going into Sunday’s final stage
-
Fresh start for Dylan Groenewegen after comeback victory at Tour de France
Team BikeExchange-Jayco rider is at his first Tour de France since serving his nine-month suspension for causing crash
-
Kristen Faulkner cools down after making a splash at the Giro Donne
The American headed straight for the sea to after winning the stage and taking the Giro Donne overall lead
-
Simon Yates misses out on Tour de France selection
Team BikeExchange-Jayco opt for sprint focussed line-up focused on Dylan Groenewegen
-
Simon Yates abandons Giro d'Italia with ongoing knee issue
Team BikeExchange-Jayco rider won two stages, but missed out on GC challenge
-
Simon Yates to target stage wins after ending general classification challenge at Giro d'Italia
Team BikeExchange-Jayco rider to hunt stage wins in final two weeks