Cyclists Detained at U.S. Border During Training
Tiesj Benoot and Quinten Hermans were held by border officials for several hours during a ride.
Updated on Oct. 2, 2026 in Cycling
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Professional cyclists Tiesj Benoot and Quinten Hermans were detained by American border officials for several hours. The incident occurred as the riders attempted to cross into the United States on their bicycles during a training session.
Why it matters
The detention was prompted by border officials conducting identity checks to rule out any affiliation with cartels. The riders were ultimately denied entry into the United States on their bikes and returned to Canada.
The cyclists were detained for 2 to 3 hours while completing a 198km training ride featuring 2,805 metres of climbing. Following the incident, Benoot placed 25th in the 273km World Championship road race, while Hermans recorded a DNF.
The players
Tiesj Benoot
He is a professional cyclist who recently competed in the World Championship road race.
Quinten Hermans
He is a professional cyclist who participated in the same training ride as Benoot.
The details
Benoot and Hermans began their training ride from a Belgian team base located in Bromont. After cycling south toward the United States border, they were stopped and forced to complete paperwork before being turned back to Canada.
Timeline
The border incident occurred in late September 2026.
Season Trajectory
This incident occurred during the final preparations for the 2026 UCI World Championships in Montreal. It serves as a rare logistical hurdle that disrupted the training schedule of elite athletes leading into the marquee race of the cycling season.
The detention prevented the riders from completing their planned international training loop during the World Championship window. Both riders subsequently participated in the 273km road race, where Benoot finished 25th and Hermans recorded a DNF.
The takeaway
Border security protocols apply to all individuals, including professional athletes on training rides. Cyclists planning routes in border regions should verify international entry requirements to avoid unexpected detainment.
Further reading
For more news from the professional peloton, visit Cycling.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Cyclingnews.
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