'Completely out of order' - Juan Sebastian Molano disqualified after punching Hugo Page at Criterium du Dauphine

Updated 10/06/2022 at 18:01 GMT

It seemed like a day without major alarm for the peloton, with a break up the road in the Criterium du Dauphine. That went out of the window inside the final 10km when Juan Sebastian Molano appeared to punch Hugo Page. Watch the Criterium du Dauphine and other top cycling live on Eurosport and discovery+.

'No need for that!' - Molano punches Page in shocking moment at Criterium du Dauphine

While the breakaway had its day on Stage 6 of the Criterium du Dauphine, there was drama in the peloton with Juan Sebastian Molano (UAE Team Emirates) appearing to punch Hugo Page (Intermarche–Wanty–Gobert Materiaux) - for which he was subsequently thrown out of the race.

The bunch had given up hope of catching the breakaway, and it was possible that those teams who had designs on a sprint finish were a little frustrated.

On what was a wide stretch of road without a pinch point, Molano and Page came close together and could be seen in dialogue.

Critérium du Dauphiné

Highlights of Stage 8 of the Criterium du Dauphine as Vingegaard takes stage and Roglic GC

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12/06/2022 at 16:11

The conversation continued for a few seconds before Molano appeared to lash out at Page.

"Blow issued!” said Carlton Kirby on Eurosport commentary. “No need for that. Oh!”

Kirby seemed to suggest it was an incident that could have consequences for Molano.

”Now that's going to be an ex out I'm afraid,” Kirby said. “If they see that, you cannot hit somebody on the head.

“That's a crossed arm straight up and he will be out of the race... that is completely out of order and you may well see the crossed arms of the race director just telling him to get off the course even before we get to the end.

“That's an exclusion, no doubt about it. You can't be doing that nonsense."

Kirby was spot on with his assessment, as Molano was thrown out of the race. The Colombian held his hands up and apologised for his actions.

"On the run-in to the finish it was fast and tense and in the heat of the moment I made a dangerous mistake," Molano said on the team's Twitter account. "I'd like to apologise to Hugo Page and to all the riders for what happened.

"I understand why I was disqualified and can only say I regret it and learn from it."

Page cut a frustrated figure when speaking to reporters at the finish in Gap.

"With 10km to go he gave me a smack on the helmet and insulted me," Page is quoted as saying by Cycling News. "He wasn't happy, because he said I'd cut him up. But that's part of racing. For me, I held my line. Since the start I've done clean sprints, and what's more, I do it all alone, I don't bother anyone."

The stage was taken by Valentin Ferron (TotalEnergies) who went off the front of the breakaway in the final kilometre and held on for the win.

Wout van Aert (Jumbo-Visma) finished safely in the peloton to retain the leader’s jersey going into the Alps on Saturday.

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Watch the Criterium du Dauphine and other top cycling live on Eurosport and discovery+.

Critérium du Dauphiné