Kiwi Tour de France rider George Bennett has penalty overturned

  • 14/07/2017
Kiwi George Bennett during stage five of the Tour de France.
Kiwi George Bennett during stage five of the Tour de France. Photo credit: Getty Images

New Zealand cyclist George Bennett has had his 20 second penalty reversed by the Union Cycliste Internationale.

The 27-year-old was penalised on stage 12 of the Tour de France for grabbing a water bottle from a spectator during the final 10 kilometres of the race.

Under rules from cycling's governing body, "feeding is prohibited on climbs, descents, and during the first 50 and last 20 (kilometres)."

Bennett finished eighth overall on stage 12, which saw the Kiwi from Nelson jump to ninth in the overall classification, 4 minutes and 24 seconds behind yellow jersey holder Fabio Aru.

The LottoNL-Jumbo rider is now just three seconds behind eight-placed Nairo Quintana. 

Stage 13 of the Tour de France is 101kms and runs form from Saint-Girons to Foix on Bastille Day is another brutal mountain stage which features three category one climbs.

Newshub.