Competitive Cycling

[Thenop]

Done deal, not the most exciting stage but am pleasantly surprised by Eulalio.

Shame about Arensman, a podium would have been nice.

Oh well, let's see how Vingegaard lives up to Pogi in July.

[Nickslikk2112]

Elisa Balsamo wins stage one of the Giro Donne after Lorena Wiebes was disqualified for an underweight bike.

Just watched on catch up, before doing so I told Mrs S that Wiebes would win and Cat Ferguson would come in 12th and whinge about something.

Right and wrong on the first prediction. Fully wrong on the second as Cat didn't even last 35km.

[Thenop]

This is a bit of a controversy. Everyone in the Wiebes camp says the bike was weighted, like all their bikes are, and found not too light.
Even more so, she has used bike, with the same setup, for many other races.

Curious.

[Nickslikk2112]

UCI officials are very picky.
If everybody's sock lengths are found to be within regulation they'll make sure they find something else.

If her bikes anything like mine, something will have fallen off it...

[Thenop]

It won't change anything but there is a protest incoming. There were 2 weighings, which is unusual.
And there are still doubts whether the equipment used to weigh was calibrated properly.

Also, punishment is a bit disproportional. Taking away the win, a time penalty, sure. But disqualify her completely?

[Nickslikk2112]

Also, punishment is a bit disproportional. Taking away the win, a time penalty, sure. But disqualify her completely?

This is the UCI. They live in their own Universe.

Anyway, ELisa Balsamo has "doubled" up today.

[Thenop]

Yeah she did, I am just disappointed. Takes the shine off a bit for me.

Maybe it'll come back, let's gow Vollering performs.

[Thenop]

So, watching the Giro for 3 weeks on Eurosport and the last stage they decide to prefer tennis over cycling. I HATE tennis.

HoMe oF cYclInG 

[Nickslikk2112]

I've had full on cycling on TNT Sports

Finally Milan gets a stage win. Gutted for Ganna though, was hoping he could TT to victory.

As you were overall. Four weeks to the tour.

[Thenop]

Milan in Rome.
Oh well, we can only hope for an exciting France cyclefest

[Nickslikk2112]

As an aside, this was the first Giro where all the final jersey winners had spent time in the Maglia Rosa.

[Nickslikk2112]

"Three" in a row for Elisa Balsamo.

Was hoping my "mate" All Action Jackson would hold in the breakaway to get the QOM jersey, alas no, but she does ride like an old farmer.

Pfeiffer Georgi was the pluckiest Britette.

Caught up on the Boucles de Mayenne last night. The commentators were discussing Lorena Wiebes. The conclusion was that if the bike was underweight then under UCI rules it means instant disqualification. José Been was surprised that Wiebes' bike would be anywhere near the lower weight limit as she isn't a small rider and isn't on a small frame which can be harder to get to the weight limit. Dr Hutch wondered if a part had been swapped out for a lower weight one and not logged on the maintenance records. Failing that it was a hot day and the bike sweat a lot.

[Nickslikk2112]

Old woman Anna van der Breggen absolutely murdered everyone in the uphill TT today. Over a minute quicker than Marlen Reusser.

Pluckiest Brit Lauren Dickson in 6th. Last year she was riding for the Handsling Alba development team.

[Nickslikk2112]

Demi Vollering gets her first ever Giro stage win today. Gets four seconds back on Anna van der Breggen with time bonuses.

I'll presume Lauren Dickson is the pluckiest Britette again, but she hasn't finished yet...

[Nickslikk2112]

Fourth stage win for Elisa Balsamo. After a huge leadout from Lucinda Brand.

Bit of echelon action half way through the stage distanced Marlen Reusser but it all came to naught.