A signaller was hit by a support car from the Lotto Dstny cycling team during Sunday’s Grand Prix Rik Van Looy race. The incident happen on the Geelseweg in Olen (Antwerp Province). Footage of the collision was shot by the regional television channel RTV. Lotto Dstny has suspended its Development Team’s Director of Sport. Meanwhile the police have started an investigation.
Video: Police launch investigation after Lotto Dstny support car hits signaller during Grand Prix Rik Van Looy in Olen
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Footage shot by the regional television channel RTV clearly shows a signaller being hit by a cycling team support vehicle. The vehicle was part of the Lotto Dstny Development Team. The support car was not participating in the race at the time of the incident. The footage shows the signaller having to go to great lengths to stop the support car to ensure that the cyclists taking part in the race can pass safely. The driver of the support vehicle ignores the signaller and continues driving, causing the signaller to fall to the ground.
The police have started an investigation. The organisers of the race say that the incident is regrettable but that they will await the result of the police investigation issuing a full response.
Director of Sport suspended
Lotto Dstny has now suspended its Development Team’s Director of Sport Carl Roes. In a statement Lotto Dstny’s CEO Stéphane Heulot said that “This is a very unfortunate and unacceptable incident. As soon as we heard this news, we suspended the team leader. There is no excuse for such behaviour, it is simply unacceptable. We would also like to express our apologies to the signaller and to the organisers.”
Mr Heulot added that “Carl realises that he made a mistake. He has already spoke to the signaller and apologised. We take this matter very seriously and are now considering further measures, until then Carl will remain suspended”.