Renowned Cycling Team’s Sports Director Faces Suspension After Crashing into Race Marshal

Sometimes the most obvious mistakes are the hardest to avoid. There’s just something about wanting to mess around and find out the consequences firsthand. One man who will definitely relate to that idea is Carl Roes, an executive at Lotto DSTNY. Roes is currently going through a hard time after facing a suspension from his role. Lotto suspended him after he was caught on film driving into a marshal during the GP Rik Van Looy on Sunday.

What’s even more interesting is the fact that Roes knew it was illegal for him to drive onto the racecourse, but did so regardless. However, he just couldn’t help himself and even hit a race marshall in the process.

Roes Goes Rogue

Since the incident, Roes has reached out to the race marshall and offered an apology. Meanwhile, an investigation is underway. Lotto DSTNY released a statement, saying, “He was not allowed to enter the course, but he tried to do so and hit the signalman. The man fell on the ground, the sports director continued his race.” It is unclear whether the marshall has suffered any injuries.

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Belgian broadcaster RTV displayed the footage of the incident, showing Roes’ car clipping the marshall. The footage then shows the sports director driving away with the official on the ground.  “We have also received the images and an investigation has been started,” a spokesperson for the local police said. Lotto DSTNY’s CEO Stéphane Heulot also extended his sympathies to the signalman who was involved in the incident.

Heulot claimed the incident was “very unfortunate and unacceptable,” adding that there was no excuse for Roes’ behavior. Still, he concedes that Roes is aware of his mistake and making amends. However, he cannot be reinstated until the investigation is complete, Heulot said.

Another Suspension for Lotto DSTNY

This incident is yet another one on the list of bad press for Lotto DSTNY. Last month, the organization left Allan Davis unemployed after he had sent unwanted direct messages to a woman on Twitter. Lotto also withdrew Davis from the team that went through for the Tour de France for this very reason.

Rasmus Bøgh Wallin of Restaurant Suri-Carl Ras has won this infamous race, with Gianluca Pollefliet in second. However, Carl Roes’ decision to involve himself in the race and hit a marshall in the process has clearly “overshadowed” any victory.  As of now, it looks like there might be no way back for Roes to reunite with Lotto DSTNY although stranger things have definitely happened.

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