UCI suspends Astana sports director who almost hit Tour de Yorkshire marshal

The Astana sports director who almost hit a volunteer marshal at the Tour de Yorkshire earlier this month has been suspended by the UCI.

The marshal, Philip Sullivan, was standing on a traffic island waving a pennant to warn riders and vehicles in the race convoy of the presence of the hazard, and had to jump out of the way as the team car driven by Lars Michaelsen ploughed through it.

Footage of the dramatic episode was shared by a spectator on social media.

> Astana apologise to marshal almost run over by team car driver

Michaelsen, a former pro who won Gent-Wevelgem in 1995 and a stage of the Vuelta two years later, has been banned by the UCI for 50 days and fined 5,000 Swiss Francs, equivalent to £3,700.

In a statement, the UCI said that the 46-year-old “will also collaborate with the UCI in delivering driver safety initiatives and share his experience as a driver in the race convoy.”

It added that the Dane had “accepted his responsibility for the incident.”

In conclusion, the UCI said that it “emphasises the importance of continuously working on measures aimed at improving road safety as well as acting on any such incidents from a disciplinary point of view in a fair and efficient manner.”

Following the incident in early May, Astana apologised and said that Michaelsen planned to volunteer at next year’s event where he would meet the marshal “for a beer.”