Belgian bike race organizers apologize over offensive cartoon
Belgium's Wout Van Aert rides during the sixteenth stage of the Tour de France cycling race, in Combloux, France, on July 18, 2023. Organizers of a classic bike race in Belgium have offered apologies after they published a cartoon of Wout van Aert that drew a lot of criticism for its perceived homophobic nature. The drawing pictured Van Aert finishing the UCI Cyclocross World Cup in Spain without a saddle. The Belgian rider won the race despite a crash near the end, losing part of his bike's saddle. Credit: AP/Daniel Cole
BRUSSELS — Organizers of a classic bike race in Belgium have apologized for publishing a cartoon of Wout van Aert that drew criticism for its perceived homophobic nature.
The drawing pictured Van Aert finishing the Cyclocross World Cup in Spain without a saddle. The Belgian rider won the race despite a crash near the end, losing part of his bike's saddle.
The cartoon was accompanied with the caption, “Wout van Aert crosses the finish line without a saddle. LGBTQ community blazing.”
The post provoked a backlash on social networks, prompting the organizers' apology.
“As E3 Saxo Classic, we would like to apologize for the cartoon," organizers said on X, formerly Twitter. “We certainly didn’t want to offend anyone here. We misjudged the cartoon. We will certainly discuss this internally. Our sincere apologies.”
It was not the first time the Belgian race drew criticism for provocative communications after repeatedly promoting their event with sexist posters.
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