Handbags in the sand: Dutch riders crash out of Moto3 race, start fighting in the gravel trap

VIDEO: Did you hear the one about the two Dutch riders who tried to go into a corner together? One didn’t see the funny side ...

Bryan Schouten, left, and Scott Deroue, right, both from the Netherlands, fight after a crash during the Moto3 race at the Sachsenring circuit in Hohenstein-Ernstthal, Germany, Sunday, July 13, 2014. (AP Photo/Jens Meyer)

THE Dutch may have done their country proud on the football pitch in Brazil, but the story was very different on the racetrack in Germany.

There are just two Dutch riders racing in the MotoGP world championship, both competing in the sport’s third tier Moto3 class.

And wouldn’t you know it, they crashed into each other.

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Schouten (L) and Deroue go sliding into the gravel.

Bryan Schouten and Scott Deroue were fighting over 23rd place in the early laps of the German Grand Prix.

Then, they collided and crashed into the sand trap on the outside of Turn 1.

Then, they were just plain fighting.

It begins ...

Schouten was furious over Deroue’s passing attempt, trying to punch his countryman as they got up from their smashed machines.

Deroue fights back ...

Remember, this was over 23rd place.

Trackside marshalls separated them amid much fist shaking and verbal sparring as they walked away from the track, only for an incensed Schouten to try and tackle Deroue to the ground.

A member of the medical staff tries to separate them.

Schouten was repentant on his Twitter account after the race, but still laid the blame for the crash on his compatriot.

(1) Got hit in 2nd lap after a not smart action from a other rider. Some things happened before wich made me gone crazy. Never will happen.

— Bryan Schouten (@BryanSchouten51) July 13, 2014

But you have to do some strange things to get me really angry. Now some reat for 3 weeks. Then indy! New chances!

— Bryan Schouten (@BryanSchouten51) July 13, 2014

The race stewards didn’t quite see the funny side of it all, handing Schouten two penalty points against his racing license for the confrontation.

For the record, Australia’s Jack Miller won the race, his fourth of the season.

Originally published as Handbags in the sand: Dutch riders crash out of Moto3 race, start fighting in the gravel trap