Elisa Balsamo reacts to Lorena Wiebes’ Giro d’Italia Women disqualification
CyclingSaturday, 30 May 2026 at 22:36
There was consternation in the Giro d’Italia Women on Saturday, and after stage one. Lorena Wiebes of SD Worx-Protime had won the stage in commanding fashion, but was expelled from the race a few hours after the finish for failing to meet equipment regulations. Elisa Balsamo of Lidl-Trek was awarded the stage win and the pink jersey.
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On day one, Wiebes was the fastest by far. Balsamo, in second place, could only watch as the Dutch champion crossed the line with her arms in the air, taking the first pink jersey.
A little over three hours after the race, late in the evening, a press release from the organisers suddenly arrived: Wiebes out of the race. “Lorena has been removed from the Giro d’Italia Women for a breach of article 2.12.007 – 2.2: using a bicycle that does not comply with the regulations, specifically failing to meet the minimum weight requirements,” the organisers said.
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Read on below the video!
Balsamo reacts to Wiebes disqualification
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And so Balsamo will suddenly start Sunday in the pink jersey, and she responded to the jury’s decision to disqualify Wiebes through her team Lidl-Trek. “Of course this is not the way I wanted to win, but this is the jury’s decision. In any case, it is an honour to wear the pink jersey and I look forward to defending it in the stage,” was the Italian’s logical reaction.
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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
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