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Marcel Kittel Was Punched In The Face By A Fellow Rider During The Dubai Tour Today

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Last year’s winner of the Dubai Tour and winner of both stages so far this year, Marcel Kittle, was punched in the face by Andriy Grivko from team Astana. The incident happened on the third day of the 200km stage from Dubai to Al Aqah. as the riders jostled for position in very windy conditions. Grivko was then disqualified and his Astana team apologized for what happened. 

“I really can’t understand how he can do something like that”

“When we passed a construction site, the sand began blowing and as soon as we went into the crosswinds we were fighting for position, which is always stressful, and Andriy Grivko punched me. I really can’t understand how he can do something like that. I get that riding in the crosswinds is always tense, but it gives him no right to act like that. He could have hurt my eye. It’s a real shame what happened. In the finale, my mind wasn’t 100% on the sprint, but I am happy I have no big injuries and I kept the lead.”

Marcel Kittle said on the team website

Grivko apologized immediately 

“Regardless of the causes of the incident, we must recognize that our rider acted inappropriately. It is unsportsmanlike and unacceptable. We apologize to Kittel and his team for what happened.“

Alexandr Shefer from team Astana on behalf of Andriy Grivko

But Kittel wont accept an apology

Kittel seems to see the funny side of it by posting a tweet with his face photoshopped to the body of a boxer

Kittel receive stitches to cover up the cut on his brow

It was extremely windy conditions on day three of the Dubai Tour today

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