Sentinel & Enterprise reporter Nick Mallard’s video of punches thrown at the Longsjo Classic’s Fitchburg Classic Criterium. (WARNING: Graphic language/violence.):

FITCHBURG – A Princeton cyclist has publicly apologized for punching a fellow rider during the Longsjo Classic in Fitchburg on Sunday, but could still face penalties as a result of an investigation into the incident.

Jerome Townsend can be seen in a video captured by a Sentinel & Enterprise reporter violently punching another racer, Dave Warner, of Jamaica Plain, as Warner sits on the ground.

The video has resulted in the United States Cycling Federation launching an investigation into the altercation, as well as Townsend’s dismissal from his racing team.

Townsend took to Facebook late Monday afternoon to apologize for his actions.

“I acted in a way that is detrimental to my team, and my sport. I hope that people do not blame my team, the race or its staff, or the city of Fitchburg in general for my actions as it was me who acted poorly,” said Townsend.

Townsend’s former team, BikeReg Elite Cycling, released a statement on Facebook on Monday morning in which they announced that Townsend’s contract had been terminated.

“BikeReg is aware of the unacceptable actions of one of our sponsored riders at the 2015 Longsjo Classic in Fitchburg, MA… The team extends our sincerest apologies to those involved and affected by these actions.”

SLIDESHOW: Longsjo Classic Fitchburg criterium

Mark Goodheart, Technical Director for USA Cycling, the national governing body for bicycle racing in the United States, said news of the altercation came to his attention Monday morning. He said the decision to look into the matter was made quickly.

“We hope to investigate this on its own merit to see what led up to this happening and to understand why it happened,” he said

The altercation took place during the men’s pro 1/2 race, the featured event in the Fitchburg Downtown Criterium, just after both men crossed the finish line outside City Hall.

In the video, Warner is seen seated on the ground, his bike beside him. Townsend is standing over Warner, punching him twice in what appears to be the back of the neck as Warner raises his arms to defend himself.

Police were at the scene and spoke with both men. Neither cyclist required medical attention.

Townsend could face several penalties including a suspension from USA Cycling.

“Most commonly that seems to be the penalty incurred by this kind of situation,” said Goodheart.

To Goodheart’s recollection, Townsend has never had any issues with USA Cycling and has never received any formal reprimands. Townsend is a recent graduate of Clark University with a degree in physics and has also worked as a nude model.

The investigation won’t focus on Townsend alone, however, as race officials intend to look into whether Warner’s involvement extends beyond what is seen in the video.

Longsjo Classic race director Allan Cote believes that there may be more to the fight than what can be seen in the video.

“There was some bumping going on, which sometimes happens,” said Cote, who described the close proximity of most racers prior to crossing the finish line.

“Apparently this time it was a little more aggressive than usual.”

A good portion of the impending investigation will look into what happened before the finish line and who could be viewed as being the instigator of the altercation. Cote stated that despite the contents of the video, this altercation should be viewed as an example of poor sportsmanship on behalf of both riders.

According to an official statement released by the Fitchburg Police Department, neither cyclist expressed a desire for police to get involved in the incident, opting instead for race officials to handle it.

Fitchburg Police have chosen to respect the wishes of both Townsend and Warner, stating that the department, “believes that this incident occurred within the confines of a sporting event and agrees that any possible sanctions will be most effectively meted out by USA Cycling.”

Townsend was interviewed by Worcester Magazine in July of 2014 about his nude modeling career. According to the interview, Townsend posesd nude at

Worcester Art Museum during its Nude Drawing in the Galleries, a time when museum visitors are allowed to draw a nude model among the artwork on the walls.

In the interview, Townsend mentions that he placed fourth in the Longsjo Classic’s Downtown Worcester Criterium just weeks earlier.

“I am comfortable with my body, and I think that part of that comfort comes from years of professional cycling and having to change literally wherever and whenever,” he told the magazine.