‘Astonished’ SD Worx-Protime issues statement after Wiebes DSQ in Giro: ‘Serious questions over procedures’
CyclingSunday, 31 May 2026 at 08:19
The opening stage of the Giro d’Italia Women is one that the women’s peloton will not forget in a hurry. Lorena Wiebes (SD Worx-Protime) won the stage, but was removed from the race a few hours later because her bike was deemed too light. Her team issued a statement on Saturday evening at 23:15 CET.
ADVERTISEMENT
“Team SD Worx-Protime is astonished by the decision of the UCI jury panel that Lorena Wiebes’ bike did not meet the minimum weight limit after the first stage of the Giro d’Italia Women, in accordance with UCI article 2.12.007–2.2,” the team said in its statement after the pink jersey was awarded to runner-up Elisa Balsamo.
“According to the jury, the bike weighed 6.78 kilograms and therefore did not meet the UCI minimum weight requirement of 6.8 kilograms. The team has serious questions about the procedures for weighing the bikes during the Giro d’Italia Women,” SD Worx-Protime said.
ADVERTISEMENT
“For example, there was a weight difference of more than 50 grams between the first and second weighing of Wiebes’ bike after the finish in Ravenna,” the team said first. “Wiebes has used this bike several times this season, always with the same set-up. She has achieved numerous victories on this bike. In addition, earlier this year the bike was weighed by UCI officials after several races in which Wiebes won sprints convincingly.”
Read on below the video!
ADVERTISEMENT
SD Worx-Protime furious about disqualification
“At every opportunity, the bike’s weight was well above the 6.8-kilogram limit. The team therefore does not understand how that same bike could now suddenly weigh below the minimum. Team SD Worx-Protime considers Wiebes’ disqualification an exceptionally severe sanction,” the team said.
“In a flat sprint stage, unlike in a mountain stage, a small reduction in weight offers virtually no advantage. That is certainly true for a rider like Wiebes, who won the sprint in Ravenna by three bike lengths,” the team added. “Team SD Worx-Protime, a leading team in the women’s peloton for fifteen years, has no explanation for the fact that Wiebes’ bike was found to be below the minimum weight this time.”
Read also
ADVERTISEMENT
IDL-productions
Stage 16 of the Giro d'Italia: Vingegaard unbeatable, Pellizzari slips, and podium battle ignites
Giro d'Italia 2026 stage 13 preview | Friday the... 13th stage!
Geraint Thomas sees from new role why Thymen Arensman is so good at the Giro
Eulálio (with GC ambitions!) and Segaert take full advantage in Giro, thanks to VeloViewer and Caruso
How Visma | Lease a Bike keeps Jonas Vingegaard healthy during the Giro d’Italia
Latest Cycling News
Giro d’Italia 2026 Stage 21 Preview | Last chance saloon for many sprinters, who will come out on top in Rome?
Only 1 American in the top 10 at Unbound Gravel after a selfless act for his teammate
Lorena Wiebes disqualified after winning the first Giro stage; pink jersey to Elisa Balsamo
Lachlan Morton crashes out of Unbound Gravel and Dekker DNFs: 'Have no words for it right now'
Elisa Balsamo reacts to Lorena Wiebes’ Giro d’Italia Women disqualification
Popular Cycling News
Giro d'Italia 2026 standings | Vingegaard wins the Giro and completes Grand Tour grand slam!
Giro Stage 20 fines and time penalties: Decathlon CMA CGM rider fined in the dolomites
Giro d'Italia 2026 start list & dropouts: Narvaez abandons during stage 19
Giro d'Italia 2026 Route | One last hurrah on the roads of Rome
Lorena Wiebes disqualified after winning the first Giro stage; pink jersey to Elisa Balsamo
Latest Comments
- The only cyclist who can beat Tadej is Tadej.
Brucegel09-05-2026 - Enough of this b.s. already.Just tell the world all you suspicious people what would satisfy you that he is not doping.live real time urinating and testing?.Live real time blood draws 5 seconds after a race is over?.Fecal analysis.WTF will satisfy you?Brucegel03-05-2026
- This suspicion could be laid to rest by what? What would make all doubters happy that Pogi is clean? Just tell the world all you Frenchmen et al what you want as protocol.You will never be satisfied.That is your level of mindless groundless suspicions.Brucegel03-05-2026
- Here is a novel idea......it's a road bike race, stick to smooth asphalt courses! Cobble is like mild off-road cross riding!!!!Germanrazor14-04-2026
- To lose a race like that on a mechanical problem in this day and age is unforgivable. Why aren't all riders using the same (interchangeable) gear? It is the job of the team manager to manage and reduce risk variables. The fact that he not only didn't pick up on the potential issue but actually ok'd it is just madness.fatehasfans13-04-2026
- Rider X, y and z? Could you update?yaNzKEWL21-03-2026
- Can anyone help me understand the thinking behind the two punishments? Are the commissaires saying you get thrown out of the race for a second inadvertent disposal of a bidon (even to the delight of fans) but that as long as you can afford it you can show off your phalangeal cuticles all day long on international TV? Aking for a friend.packfiller7112-03-2026
- It's a bit embarrassing that. Isn't the main sponsor supposed to keep them at 36.5 ?tomjacques03-03-2026
- They were close to cracking a very tired Tadej that wasn't fully focused on the TdF with a team of riders focused solely on cracking Tadej. And if they cracked him, he would have still won. Tadej won't be racing the giro this year. It'll be an even easier win for him.Veganpotter09-02-2026
- Nice!Bea22-01-2026
Loading
