UCI hands ban to Kiwi rider who punched rival

April 10, 2026

Kiaan Watts, a New Zealand rider with the NSN Development team, has been suspended for 25 days by the UCI after punching rival rider Marijn Maas (BEAT Cycling Club p/b Saxo) during the Ster van Zwolle one‑day race in the Netherlands.

With around 30–34 km to go in the Ster van Zwolle, Watts was caught on camera reaching across and striking Maas with a closed fist in a tense moment in the peloton. The race commissaires immediately disqualified him from the event, fined him CHF 200, and deducted 25 UCI points.

The UCI later imposed a 25‑day suspension, effective from 9 April until 2 May 2026, with one day already credited due to an internal one‑day ban applied by his team on 8 March. Watts accepted the sanction and admitted guilt under UCI rule 12.4.009, which covers violent conduct during competition.

NSN publicly distanced itself from Watts’ actions, apologised to Maas, BEAT, organisers, and officials, and initially withdrew him from the following day’s Dorpenomloop Rucphen. The UCI used the case to reemphasise riders’ responsibilities to uphold sportsmanship, fairness, and respect in the sport. IDL Procycling