Elisa Balsamo has claimed victory in the opening stage of the Giro d’Italia Women after Lorena Wiebes was disqualified for a bike weight violation. Wiebes, representing Team SD Worx-Protime, had earned the first maglia rosa of the race by narrowly beating Balsamo and Irish cyclist Lara Gillespie in Ravenna.
Disqualification Details
Race organizers announced Wiebes’ disqualification due to her bike failing to meet the minimum weight requirements. The Dutch cyclist’s bike was weighed at 6.78 kg, just below the UCI’s established threshold of 6.8 kg.
- Wiebes is 27 years old and won the Giro points classification in 2025.
- Team SD Worx-Protime expressed shock and disappointment at the ruling.
- The team raised concerns about the bike weight inspections during the event.
Team’s Concerns
Team SD Worx-Protime questioned the validity of the weight checks. They noted a discrepancy of over 50g between two weighings conducted after the race in Ravenna. The team highlighted that Wiebes had used the same bike throughout the season, often with weights above the required limit.
Balsamo’s Response
Following the ruling, Balsamo stated, “Of course, it is not the way I want to win but this is a decision of the jury.” She expressed her honor in wearing the maglia rosa and anticipation for the next stage.
Stage Overview
The opening stage was a challenging 139 km route from Cesenatico that included multiple laps of a 13.2 km city circuit. The stage saw a number of crashes, notably involving Cat Ferguson of Movistar, who was forced to withdraw after suffering injuries. Ferguson was subsequently taken to the hospital for evaluation.
Upcoming Stage
The next stage will cover 156 km between Roncade and Caorle, likely favoring the sprint finishers once again. As the race continues, all eyes will be on Balsamo as she defends her new title.
