Guadeloupe, French Caribbean – Two cyclists, niels Tenniglo and Huub Van Kapel of the Dutch RC Jan Van Arckel team, were immediately disqualified from the Tour Cycliste International de la Guadeloupe on August 4, 2025, after being caught attempting to rejoin the race peloton illegally during the second stage. The incident occurred approximately 40 kilometers from the finish line near an intersection in Sainte-Anne, Guadeloupe.

Race officials, alerted by video evidence showing the riders sheltering behind a team vehicle, swiftly announced the disqualification via race radio. Both Tenniglo and Van Kapel were officially marked as “DSQ” (Disqualified) in the stage results on ProCyclingStats.com.

According to a statement from a race official, the riders had failed to complete the full course of the 128.5-kilometer stage, which began in Basse-terre and concluded with a circuit in Saint-François. they attempted to re-enter the main group at the velodrome, circumventing a significant portion of the route.

#Tdg‍♂️• #Guadeloupe 2025: “It’s very serious!” 2 runners excluded for having joined the peloton without making the whole course of the 2nd stage before the eyes of the commissioner ➕d’infos https://t.co/zAQuIEpYbY pic.twitter.com/35cVeIxYK8

– Guadeloupe la 1ère (@Guadeloupela1e) August 4, 2025

The disqualification comes amidst a particularly challenging stage marked by numerous crashes, a high number of did Not Finish (DNF) riders, and three riders finishing Outside the Time Limit (OTL). The race jury also reported observing other riders illegally drafting behind vehicles, promising further disciplinary action.

“There are other riders who have hung into cars, with videos to support this,” the race jury stated. “I remind you that cycling is a sport that is practiced by pedaling and holding onto your handlebars, your handlebars and nothing else. It’s risky.”

The Tour Cycliste International de la Guadeloupe is a 10-day, 2.2-ranked event on the UCI calendar, attracting a diverse field of regional and club-level cycling teams. The race, first held in 1934, serves as a key development opportunity for Caribbean and French cyclists. As of this report, neither Tenniglo, Van Kapel, nor RC Jan Van Arckel have issued a public statement regarding the incident. The race continues through August 14, 2025, with a final stage in Pointe-à-Pitre.