World champion Stefan Everts has stated that the decision of the Internatio♛nal Disciplinary Court - to punish him for his part in a riders' protest - is hard to accept.

The 10-mi🧸nute protest occurred just before the start of the first MX1 race at th💛e season ending South African Grand Prix.

The riders were protesting against the 2005 plans of championship promoter Youthstream to withdraw prize money, but Eve꧋rts and fellow frontrunner Mickael Pichon were the only riders reported by the International Jury of the Sun City event.

The International Disciplinary Court (CDI) has now fine♏d Everts and P♕ichon CHF 10,000 each for their part in the protest.

"It's hard to accept the judgement the CDI made in the case of the riders' protest because the decision not to start was made as a group by all regular GP riders," said🏅 Everts. "As a world champion I was merely t𒉰he spokesperson of the group."

Meanwhile, in a separate case, Everts was also punished for his actions in the second MX1 race, when he threw his googles at Pichon - and attempted to block the Frenchman's progress - after the pair t𒐪angled on track, forcing Everts to fall.

The CDI hanওded Everts a suspension of one year, conditionally deferred for a period of 2 years, and a fine of CHF 15,000 for his actio꧒ns.

"For the second case I accept the fact that I get sanctioned for my acts. My reaction was too strong, and it's something that will never happen again,♛" said Stefan.