USA Cycling confirmed Thursday that three riders – Michael Hernandez and Robert Sierra of Best Buddies Racing and Justin Williams of L39ION of Los Angeles – have accepted final suspensions and penalties for their involvements in a physical altercation at the Salt Lake Criterium on July 16, 2022.
Following an initial one-week investigation, Hernandez and Sierra accepted the results that found the riders had violated USA Cycling rules against ‘acts of violence among riders’ and unsportsmanlike conduct. Hernandez accepted a reduced penalty of a three-month suspension and 16 hours of community service, while Sierra accepted a one-month suspension and eight hours of community service.
The results of the investigation were delayed as Williams exercised his right to a hearing, allowed by USA Cycling’s Policy III. A three-member panel upheld the ruling that was issued on July 25, and Williams accepted the initial five-month suspension that was recommended by the original investigator.
“USA Cycling has zero tolerance regarding violence, instigation of violence, and bullying. The behavior at the Salt Lake City Criterium is inexcusable,” said Brendan Quirk, CEO & President of USA Cycling.
“We are working with the race organizers of the American Criterium Cup to increase our scrutiny of rider behavior in the peloton, including the use of video replay officials at the event. And while this will allow us to better identify dirty riding in real time, this doesn’t replace the need for riders to show basic respect for each other.”
The Salt Lake Criterium in the Granary District of the Utah capital was the first of two days of weekend events and the Saturday night pro races were the sixth stop of the American Criterium Cup national series. The women’s pro race was held without incident, Kendall Ryan (L39ION of Los Angeles) taking the victory ahead of American Criterium Cup women’s leader Maggie Coles-Lyster (DNA Pro Cycling).
The final hot laps in Saturday’s contest among the pro men sparked hot tempers as L39ION and Best Buddies fought for position on the four-corner course. The initial finish saw five L39ION of Los Angeles riders sweep the top five positions, the win taken by Ty Magner, with Tyler Williams in second and Justin Williams in third.
Following a verbal and physical altercation after the finish of the race, the chief referee doled out immediate sanctions for both Justin Williams and Hernandez, a disqualification and a 72-hour…
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