Hayter hits out with costly ‘middle finger’, while Campenaerts also escapes no punishment

Starting with Hayter: the Brit was considered an outsider for Monday’s opening time trial in Italy. The Soudal Quick-Step rider eventually finished eighth, 32 seconds down on winner Filippo Ganna (INEOS Grenadiers). But his top-ten ride was not the most talked-about moment of his day.

Footage circulated showing Hayter suddenly raising his middle finger, apparently towards a camera. The jury did not miss it either: Hayter has been fined 500 Swiss francs and also docked 25 UCI ranking points. The reason behind the gesture is still unclear at this stage.

Over in the other WorldTour stage race this week — Paris–Nice — there was also something notable in the jury report. Campenaerts received a yellow card on Sunday. While yellow cards are often shown for dangerous moments in a sprint, the Visma | Lease a Bike rider’s sanction was for something far more innocuous.

According to the report, the Belgian threw away a bidon after the finish of stage 1 in a place where it was not permitted. Speaking to Sporza, Campenaerts explained what the yellow card means for the rest of his week: “I’ve been punished with a yellow card, and a second yellow card in the same stage race means elimination,” he said — meaning Campenaerts now has to be extra careful to stick to the rules.

He also admitted his own mistake. “It was a moment of inattention from me, something to take with me,” Campenaerts continued. “We have to follow the rules. It’s my fault that I didn’t do it the right way.” Still, he joked that his offence may have made someone happy: “I think a lot of people were glad there was a bidon lying there.”