Controversy in Elimination race at Track Worlds ignites ‘insults, threats’ from Jan-Willem van Schip for disqualification

Jan-Willem van Schip looked to be in mix for a medal in the men’s Elimination race on Sunday at the UCI Track World Championships. Rather than sprint in the three-up lap against eventual winner Tobias Aagaard Hansen (Denmark) and silver medallist Elia Viviani (Italy), Van Schip was relegated for “dangerous riding”, then disqualified for “insults, threats, improper conduct”.

Following the misconduct in public display, national coach Nick Stöpler replaced Van Schip with Vincent Hoppezak in the men’s Madison, the final event of the Track Worlds on Sunday, where the feisty rider would have been able to defend his title with Yoeri Havik. Hoppezak and Havik finished sixth in the 200-lap race.