Munsterland Giro: Belgian cyclist Florian Senechal sorry for punching rival Max Walscheid after crash

A rider for the Belgian team Deceuninck-QuickStep punched a rival from Team Sunweb following a major crash at the Munsterland Giro in Germany.

Belgian Florian Senechal was one of those caught in the high-speed incident on a soaking wet finishing straight, and afterwards blamed the German rider Max Walscheid.

As Walscheid was carrying out a post-race interview, surrounded by journalists and spectators, Senechal threw a punch from the side. Walscheid appeared to retaliate before Senechal was dragged away by his teammates.

Replays seemed to suggest Walscheid did little wrong, holding his line as the crash unfolded behind him. He finished fifth in the race in Munster, which was won by Quick-Step rider Alvaro Hodeg.

Later Senechal apologised for his reaction. “Sorry for my brutal reaction after the finish,” he tweeted. “But I was scared, I am cured of a broken shoulder since June. I was lucky not to go back to the hospital today and still live this [sufferance] on a bike.”