UCI condemns racist abuse of French cyclist Nacer Bouhanni on social media

Cycling's world governing body has strongly criticised online abuse the Frencman received, when he was targeted following his disqualification for dangerous conduct from the Cholet–Pays de la Loire race last month. The Team Arkea-Samsic rider is facing disciplinary action from the UCI, after he appeared to push Jake Stewart during a sprint finish at the event.

Cycling's world governing body, the UCI, has strongly condemned the racists abuse targeted at French cyclist Nacer Bouhanni on social media.

The Team Arkea-Samsic rider is facing disciplinary action from the UCI for shoving Groupama–FDJ's Jake Stewart into the barriers in the sprint finish at last month's Cholet–Pays de la Loire race.

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The 30-year-old said that he had been subject to racial attacks on social media afterwards and posted screenshots of some of the messages he received.

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"However serious the fault of the French rider, nothing justifies the insults he has been subject to in the days following the act he is accused of," UCI said in a statement.

The UCI would like to reaffirm its unqualified commitment to fighting against all forms of discrimination, whatever the reasons behind it.

"Our federation, via its constitution, its code of ethics and its various programmes, upholds and promotes the principles of inclusion and the respect for others."

British cyclist Stewart, who fractured his hand following the incident in the race, managed to stay upright and crossed the line in 29th place before criticising Bouhanni's conduct on social media.

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