African team allege 'racist abuse' at Tour of Austria

African team MTN-Qhubeka have written to cycling's world governing body after claiming one of their riders was racially abused at the Tour of Austria.

Eritrean Natnael Berhane was allegedly abused by a rider from the CCC Sprandi Polkowice team during the fourth stage.

A statement from the Polish team read: "The rider will suffer consequences."

MTN-Qhubeka team principal Douglas Ryder called the incident "outrageous" while Sprandi Polkowice said the rider's actions were "unacceptable".

They added: "We, as a team, do not tolerate that kind of behaviour."

South Africa-based MTN-Qhubeka are the first African team to ride at the Tour de France. Their rider Daniel Teklehaimanot became the first black African to take the King of the Mountains jersey on Thursday's sixth stage.