Wiebes disqualified after winning opening Giro stage

Image caption,
Lorena Wiebes won the points classification at last year's Giro d'Italia

Katie Falkingham

BBC Sport Senior Journalist

1 hour ago

Lorena Wiebes was disqualified from the women's Giro d'Italia fora bike weight violation, just hours after winning the opening stage.

The Dutchwoman, riding for Team SD Worx-Protime, had sealed the first maglia rosa - the leader's pink jersey - of this year's race by pipping Italian Elisa Balsamo and Irish rider Lara Gillespie to the finish line in Ravenna.

But in a statement on Saturday night, race organisers said 27-year-old Wiebes, who won the Giro points classification in 2025, had been kicked out of the race for "use of a bicycle not in compliance with the regulations, specifically failing to meet the minimum weight requirements".

Lidl-Trek's Balsamo was awarded the stage win and will start Sunday's second stage in the maglia rosa.

Canyon-Sram rider Chiara Consonni was bumped up on to the podium behind Gillespie.

Balsamo said: "Of course, it is not the way I want to win but this is a decision of the jury.

"In any case, it's an honour to wear the maglia rosa and I am looking forward to trying to defend it in tomorrow's stage."

The 139km opening stage from Cesenatico, which ended with three laps of a 13.2km city circuit, featured multiple crashes.

Those included one after just 35km, as a result of which Movistar's British rider Cat Ferguson was forced to abandon the race.

Her team later said the 20-year-old, making her Giro debut, had been taken to hospital for medical evaluation.

Sunday's second stage - 156km between Roncade and Caorle - will again suit the sprinters.

Image caption,
Lorena Wiebes celebrates as she crosses the finish line of the opening Giro stage

Giro d'Italia Women stage one results

1. Elisa Balsamo (Ita/Lidl-Trek) same time

2. Lara Gillespie (Ire/UAE Team ADQ)

3. Chiara Consonni (Ita/Canyon-Sram)

4. Georgia Baker (Aus/Liv AlUla Jayco)

5. Charlotte Kool (Ned/Fenix-Premier Tech)

6. Linda Zanetti (Sui/Uno-X Mobility)

7. Gladys Verhulst-Wild (Fra/AG insurance-Soudal)

8. Celia Gery (Fra/FDJ United-Suez)

9. Lily Williams (US/Human Powered Health)

10. Alessia Zambelli (Ita/Top Girls Fassa Bortolo)

General classification

1. Elisa Balsamo (Ita/Lidl-Trek) 3 hrs 18mins 12secs

2. Lara Gillespie (Ire/UAE Team ADQ) +4secs

3. Chiara Consonni (Ita/Canyon-Sram) +6secs

4. Georgia Baker (Aus/Liv AlUla Jayco) +10secs

5. Charlotte Kool (Ned/Fenix-Premier Tech) same time