Dutch cyclist Jan-Willem van Schip was disqualified from the final stage of the Ronde de l'Oise on Sunday afternoon for a regulations infraction.
Officials pulled the Azerion / Villa Valkenburg rider from the race while he was part of a breakaway group.
The official race communiqué cited a violation of UCI rule 2.12.007 regarding non-compliant clothing.
However, race officials informed the cyclist that the penalty stemmed from placing a water bottle inside the front of his jersey, an action prohibited under UCI rule 1.3.032.
This penalty marks the third disqualification for the 31-year-old cyclist within a short period.
Van Schip was previously disqualified from the Tour of Hellas last month due to his riding position, and he was sent home from the Tour of Holland at the end of last season because of an unregulated bicycle.
He also received a warning and a 200 CHF fine during the second stage of the Ronde de l'Oise for a dangerous riding position.
The athlete expressed frustration on social media regarding how race officials handled the incident during the final stage.
Van Schip explained that he attacked during the final stage and placed the bottle under his jersey before being approached by the jury.
He stated that he questioned the official about his riding position before the interaction escalated.
Van Schip noted that officials provided little immediate explanation on the course before issuing the disqualification.
He added that he spent a significant amount of time trying to determine the exact issue while on the road.
The decision led to a wave of support from fellow cyclists in the peloton, who shouted a supportive slogan as they passed him standing on the roadside.
He admitted that the series of disqualifications has impacted his morale heavily.
Despite the setback, he noted that the reaction from his fellow riders provided some comfort during the incident.
The support was also echoed by fellow cyclist Victor Campenaerts online.
Journalist and podcast host Thijs Zonneveld addressed the situation during the "In De Waaier" podcast, noting that riders frequently place bottles or gels inside their jerseys for aerodynamic advantages, a practice known as chest fairing.
Zonneveld explained that the UCI has been monitoring this trend closely and has already sent warning letters to several teams.
He indicated that the governing body is investigating whether the tucked items are intended for consumption or purely for aerodynamics.
Zonneveld argued that Van Schip is being singled out by the governing body because he openly pushes technical boundaries.
He further criticized the lack of consistency in enforcement, labeling the targeted strictness as a double standard.
According to Zonneveld, this inconsistent enforcement creates an unfair environment for pioneering riders.
He concluded that Van Schip's reputation complicates his standing with officials and has historically impacted his team opportunities.
Van Schip previously stated that his bike setup was discussed with the jury during the Omloop der Kempen on May 17, where he received no negative feedback before entering the Ronde de l'Oise.
