🎥 Disqualified Lorena Wiebes salutes the Giro d’Italia Women peloton from the roadside

Beautiful images came out of the women’s Giro d’Italia on Thursday. Lorena Wiebes — expelled from the race on day one after her bike was found to be too light — stood by Lake Garda to encourage her SD Worx-Protime team-mates and all her fellow competitors. The peloton warmly greeted the Dutch champion in return.

Wiebes crossed the line first on stage one on Saturday, but later that evening received the news that her bike was too light and that she was therefore no longer allowed to continue. There was plenty of disbelief and anger at SD Worx-Protime, but the UCI was uncompromising: Wiebes out.

Her team has repeatedly said it will challenge that decision, but it also chose to send the Dutch champion home as quickly as possible. After one day back in the Netherlands, Wiebes decided to travel to Italy by camper van, where she is preparing for her next race: Copenhagen Sprint on June 13.

Wiebes was roadside with Movistar rider Floortje Mackaij as the women’s Giro d’Italia passed along Lake Garda on Thursday. Wiebes could only look on as the riders passed by, in what would have been a perfect stage for her sprinting talents.

Many hands went up in support from the peloton to wave back to Wiebes, creating lovely scenes. Respect, Lorena!

Author: David Bavin-Hobbs - [email protected]