Two riders disqualified from Tour of Britain for riding on pavement to attack from bunch

Two riders have been disqualified from the Tour of Britain after using the pavement to move around the peloton and attack on stage two to Newark-on-Trent.

With the break established and the big teams spread across the front of the peloton to prevent any further attacks, James Lowsley Williams (Bike-Channel Canyon) and Bryan Lewis (Cylance Pro Cycling) jumped on to the pavement to move up the side of the pack and attack in an attempt to bridge across to the escape group.

>>> Taylor Phinney apologises after being disqualified form Tour of Britain for railway crossing incident

The two riders made it to within 30 seconds of the back of the front group, before being informed by a race commissaire that they were being disqualified for riding on the pavement, and having to pull over to the side of the road and climb into their team cars.

UCI rules state that "it is strictly prohibited to use sidewalks/pavements, paths or cycle paths that do not form part of the course (i.e. those separated by kerbs, verges, level changes or other physical features) if a dangerous situation is created inter alia for other riders, spectators or race personnel by such action or if such action procures a significant advantage over other riders."

>>> Watch: Should Edvald Boasson Hagen have been relegated on stage two of the Tour of Britain?

The punishment for breaking this rule is either a 200 Swiss Franc fine or elimination, with the Tour of Britain's commissaires opting for the latter in this case.

Riders taking to the pavement has become a significant problem in the cobbled Classics, where commissaires have been criticised for handing out fines rather than disqualifications to riders for using smooth pavements rather than the cobbles.