Newly appointed USA Cycling (USAC) CEO Brendan Quirk has had enough of Justin Williams’ violent racing antics after the 34 year-old RedBull sponsored rider intentionally crashed a competitor.

“We have the ability to discipline and we are going to do it and it is going to be more severe. If we have to be the police, we will be the police. It is going to be more expensive in terms of race days and money. I want all teams to hear this now, we are instructing officials and my philosophy as a CEO is that the shit is about to stop,” Quirk warned earlier this summer.

Now Quirk is keeping his word and suspending Justin Williams, a multiple amateur USA National Championship, for instigating a crash in Colorado in August.

The video below from the Denver Audi Littleton Criterium shows Williams (in white taking the inside line) moving up to push Thomas Gibbons off the lead-out train of Williams’ L39ION of LA team with six laps to go. Williams then dangerously moves in front Gibbons, intentionally changes his line in the middle of the corner to take Gibbons out of the train and into the curb at 35+ mph, crashing both riders.

Bystanders who witnessed the crash then taunted Williams about being a “professional,” with Williams repeatedly shouting he is a professional while swearing at a bloodied Gibbons, according to a USAC report.

While Williams’ suspension is only for 60-days next season (USAC rules state the minimum suspension for violence or intentional injury is six months?), it is his second suspension in a year for acts of violence and unsportsmanlike conduct. He was suspended five months in 2022 after being found guilty of engaging in a physical altercation at the Salt Lake Criterium in July.

On his latest suspension Williams only acknowledged the “accident,” but did not seem to take any responsibility for his behavior or wrong-doing, only to say that “unfortunately sometimes accidents happen.”

“Last month in the heat of the Littleton Twilight Crit I was involved in an accident with a fellow rider. Never in my life have I ridden with the intent to cause harm. This is high speed crit racing. Real time judgements are made in fractions of a second and unfortunately sometimes accidents happen. I keep my head high and will continue my mission to promote safe environments, educate riders of all ages, and advance diversity, equity, and inclusion within this sport.” Instagram/@juswilliamz

Gibbons, who was deemed not at fault and not suspended, told Velo, “To be honest, I was quite upset in the aftermath of the crash. I believe Justin intended to injure me, but that’s my opinion. There’s clear video from a few different angles out there, so I think it’s best if people watch it and form their own opinions.”

On social media site Reddit users offered their thoughts on the crash and Williams’ behavior:

Phriz posted, “Obviously crit racing is inherently dangerous, but moves like this deserve more punishment, and repeat offenses should earn you a ban from the sport. You could end someone’s career (or life) by pushing them into a barrier at speed. Shit like this is also why I don’t race anymore.”

Chrisajr1994 offered, “a 60-day ban for JW during the quietest part of the season is a slap in the wrist… This ban literally has no impact on his behavior unless sponsors decide to drop him.”

And finally, Veganvx stated what many are thinking, “Again? Every few months I see something about this dickhead..”

Photo Credit: redbull.com/Joe Pugliese

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