Swiss cyclist Jan Christen has been disqualified from the Clasica Jaen after an incident during the race, which was won by his teammate Tim Wellens. Christen maintains he was unaware of the potential danger caused by his actions.
“It was an unfortunate incident, which unfortunately can happen in races,” Christen stated. “What I know is that I would never deliberately put another rider in danger in this way. I am exceptionally touched by this situation and wish Maxim a speedy recovery. I hope to be able to compete against him for the win again in the future.”
The disqualification comes as the young rider’s season has already faced scrutiny. RMC Sport reports that Christen received a 20-second penalty during the first stage of the AlUla Tour 2026 in January for excessively drafting behind team vehicles after a crash to rejoin the peloton.
This latest incident adds to a challenging start to the season for Christen, raising questions about his conduct on the course. The Clasica Jaen is a key early-season race for many European teams, providing valuable competition ahead of larger Grand Tour events.
