One Pro Cycling apologises after rider gives rival the finger at Melton-Rutland CiCLE Classic

One Pro Cycling have apologised after New Zealand rider Hayden McCormick gestured with his middle finger at Dan Fleeman as the Metaltek-Kuota team beat him to win the Rutland-Melton CiCLE Classic yesterday.

A photograph in the Melton Times shows the One Pro Cycling rider aiming the obscene gesture at his rival as Fleeman crossed the line, arms aloft in celebration at clinching one of the biggest races on the British calendar, and which finishes in the Leicestershire town where his team is based.

The pair had escaped from the lead group towards the end of the 189-kilometre race nicknamed ‘Britain’s Belgian Classic’ as they followed an attack from Matt Holmes of Madison Genesis whom they subsequently dropped.

McCormick’s frustration was reportedly due to a misunderstanding with Fleeman, whom he did not believe was going to contest the sprint but who launched his successful bid for victory with 300 metres remaining.

In a statement yesterday evening, One Pro Cycling, founded by former England cricketer Matt Prior, said: “On behalf of the team we would like to apologise to the race organisers, Dan Fleeman and the Metaltek-Kuota team and all cycling fans and supporters for any offence caused.

“This behaviour will not be tolerated and the matter is being dealt with very seriously.”

The team added that McCormick’s winnings would be donated to charity.

 Race organisers said: “The gesture was not befitting of a professional rider and is considered ungentlemanly conduct.

“The management of One Pro Cycling have apologised profusely to the organisation, and onward to spectators for the incident, and as a gesture of their regret have insisted that any prize money won by the team at the race should be donated to a local charity of the organisation’s choice.”

Race director Colin Clews subsequently confirmed that the winnings, amounting to £1,365, would be given to the charity it supports, The Mount Group Riding for the Disabled.

In a separate statement released this morning, One Pro Cycling said that its management had met with McCormick today, saying that “Hayden accepts full responsibility for his actions and knows they were unacceptable.”

It added: “The matter has been handled internally and Hayden has been reprimanded by the team. This matter is now closed and we look forward to a big weekend of racing at the Tour de Yorkshire.”