The professional cyclist Filip Maciejuk was the cause of a serious pile-up during the first kilometers of the Tour of Flanders 2023. The Pole from Bahrain Victorious wanted to gain positions in the peloton by overtaking outside the asphalt, but when he encountered a puddle, he returned erratically to the group causing a hard accident in which many were forced to leave.
After assessing it, the ‘De Ronde’ commissioners decided to disqualify the cyclist for committing this imprudence and the rider had no choice but to accept that decision.
Later, on his Twitter account, he admitted that he was wrong and apologized to the peloton and the fans for a mistake that he described as a “miscalculation” on his part that ended in the worst possible way.
The networks were filled with ‘hate’ towards the young runner for carrying out this reckless action, although the debate is not in who is capable of criticizing him more strongly, but in whether this type of action should be penalized beyond the race in the what’s going on.
It is an issue that has a complicated solution, because due to the nature of cycling, sanctions cannot be applied as in other sports where all players meet the same calendar. The action was reckless and, despite not wanting to generate any amount, premeditated. Should the UCI intervene in these cases to separate the culprit for a certain time from any competition? This is how this controversy is served for the fan, although it seems that the UCI is far from ruling on it.
