Brawling cyclists disqualified

Brawling cyclists disqualified
Sports code: cycling
Source: nz herald
Date: 9-9-14

Italian Gianluca Brambilla and Russia's Ivan Rovny have been disqualified from the Tour of Spain after coming to blows during the 16th stage from San Martin del Rey Aurelio to La Farrapona.

In bizarre circumstances both men landed punches and elbowed each other whilst continuing to cycle as they made up a breakaway group of 13 riders on Monday.

Rovny even had to ask for a new pair of sunglasses from his Tinkoff-Saxo team car as they were broken in the bust up.

It was originally announced that tour organisers would take a decision on sanctions at the end of the stage, but with Brambilla still part of a lead group of three with just 15 kilometres to go both teams were instructed to tell their riders to stop as they had been disqualified.