Rivals disqualified after bizarre 'slap' incident during Exact Cross Maldegem in Belgium

Jinse Peeters [De Ceuster Bouwpunt] and Manon Bakker [Crelan-Corendon] were both disqualified from the Exact Cross Maldegem after a moment of madness in Belgium. Peeters' arm appeared to collide with Bakker's back during a dramatic fourth lap. Marie Schreiber ended up taking first place after an excellent performance that saw her hold off the challenge of Inge van der Heijden [Crelan-Corendon].

Belgian cyclist Jinse Peeters [De Ceuster Bouwpunt] appeared to slap Manon Bakker's [Crelan-Corendon] back during a bizarre coming together at the Exact Cross Maldegem in Belgium.

The moment of madness resulted in both women being disqualified from the race, with 22-year-old star Marie Schreiber coming out on top in first place.

The flashpoint took place on the fourth lap of the course as the pair jostled for position heading into a corner.

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Bakker appeared to reach out towards her rival but Peeters responded by swiping her arm away.

Peeters' left arm then looked to have come into contact with the top of Bakker's back as she attempted to turn the corner and resume the race.

A few moments after the collision, both riders were removed from the course by the commissaries, with it later being revealed that the pair had been disqualified from the contest.

Drama as rider aims SLAP at rival during heated cyclo-cross event

Video credit: TNT Sports

Schreiber finished the contest with an impressive time of 42:11, 16 seconds ahead of her Dutch rival Inge van der Heijden [Crelan-Corendon] who finished in second place.

Italy's Sara Casasola [Crelan-Corendon] came third after finishing the course 49 seconds faster than Larissa Hartog, who finished in fourth place.

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Bakker recorded her first win in the UCI Cyclo-cross World Cup last season at Val di Sole, while Peeters is currently No. 32 in the UCI rankings.

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