Second Edition News for April 11, 2002

Edited by John Stevenson

Yates brothers cop 18 month ban

New Zealanders Matthew and Jeremy Yates have been suspended from the New Zealand national team for 18 months after at incident in the Tour of Tasmania in February.

The suspension – for using "obscene and offensive language towards race officials and members of the public" – will stop the two riders from representing New Zealand at the Commonwealth Games, but will not otherwise prevent them from racing.

The brothers may be able to reduce the sentence to six months by taking anger management courses.

Announcing the suspension on its website, Cycling New Zealand said, "Cycling New Zealand believes this will send a very sound message to cyclists that this type of behaviour is not tolerated."

Mark Harris, General Manager of Cycling New Zealand, added "We have a responsibility to all those participating in the sport of cycling to ensure that appropriate standards of behaviour are maintained especially by experienced or senior riders and those selected to represent New Zealand."

Radio New Zealand reports that Jeremy Yates, the 2000 junior world road race champion, concedes he only has himself to blame for the suspension, but claimed he is not an angry person.

Yates said that there is so much adrenaline and testosterone flying around in a race, things can happen in the heat of the moment. He added that didn't think an anger management course was appropriate and he will look to do some other type of sports psychology course.