Home / Sports / Wiebes Disqualified: Underweight Bike Sparks Giro Outrage
Wiebes Disqualified: Underweight Bike Sparks Giro Outrage
31 May
Summary
- Lorena Wiebes was disqualified for an underweight bicycle.
- Her bike reportedly weighed 6.78kg, just under the 6.8kg UCI minimum.
- The team questioned the UCI's weighing procedure and severity of the sanction.
Lorena Wiebes of SD Worx-Protime has been disqualified from the Giro d'Italia Women due to an underweight bicycle, a decision the team calls "astonishing." The race jury determined Wiebes's bike weighed 6.78kg, 0.02kg below the UCI's mandatory 6.8kg minimum for stage one. This ruling resulted in Wiebes losing her initial sprint victory. The win and the first pink jersey were awarded to Elisa Balsamo of Lidl-Trek.
SD Worx-Protime released a statement expressing disbelief and questioning the UCI's weighing process. They highlighted that Wiebes had used the same bike setup successfully in multiple previous races, where it had been officially weighed and found to be above the minimum limit. The team argued that the sanction was exceptionally severe, especially for a flat sprint stage where minimal weight advantage exists.
Wiebes was disqualified under UCI article 2.12.007, rule 2.2, pertaining to non-conforming bicycles. UCI rule 1.3.019 clearly states the minimum bicycle weight requirement. Elisa Balsamo, though awarded the victory, acknowledged it was not the desired way to win but expressed honor in wearing the maglia rosa.
