MTN-Qhubeka team principal, Douglas Ryder, said: “One of the riders from another team said to Natnael Berhane get out of the way you effing n*****. Just outrageous.” A statement from CCC Sprandi Polkowice read: “In the heat of the battle some words have been said by our rider, which were very unfortunate and unacceptable. We, as a team, do not tolerate that kind of behaviour and the rider will suffer consequences. *** The majority of the professional peloton is supportive, but there have been unfortunate incidents, with the Norwegian, Edvald Boasson Hagen, and American, Tyler Farrar, sometimes having to intervene.
Branislau Samoilau of CCC Sprandi used a racial slur against Natnael Berhane at Tour of Austria. Samoilau has agreed to donate a month’s salary to Qhubeka, the bike charity repped by the African team.
Daniel Teklehaimanot as Tour de France KOM is fantastic news worth celebrating. However, pro cycling still needs to work not only on diversifying its talent, but also to stop outright racist shit like this.