Giro d'Italia Women: Lorena Wiebes disqualified after stage one win for underweight bike, Elisa Balsamo inherits pink jersey
Dutch sprinter Lorena Wiebes was stripped of her stage one victory and disqualified from the Giro d'Italia Women on Saturday evening after her bike failed to meet minimum weight requirements, handing the win and the leader's pink jersey to Italy's Elisa Balsamo.
A dominant sprint overturned
Lorena Wiebes of SD Worx-Protime powered to what appeared to be a commanding victory in the opening stage of the Giro d'Italia Women, finishing several bike lengths clear of the field in a mass sprint in Ravenna. The 27-year-old Dutch national champion, widely regarded as the world's best sprinter, had been delivered perfectly by her leadout train featuring Anna van der Breggen and crossed the line ahead of Elisa Balsamo and Lara Gillespie. The win also secured Wiebes the first maglia rosa of her career.
The leadout that her team SD Worx carried out, with a starring role for Anna van der Breggen, was strong. Wiebes launched the sprint first and was by far the strongest.
The disqualification
Hours after the podium ceremony, race organisers issued a statement disqualifying Wiebes for a violation of regulations concerning her bicycle. The specific infraction was failing to meet the minimum weight requirements. The decision meant Wiebes, who won the points classification in the 2025 edition, was removed from the race entirely and would not be permitted to start Sunday's second stage.
Lorena Wiebes has been excluded from the Giro for a violation of article 2.12.007 - 2.2: the use of a bicycle not in compliance with the regulations, specifically failing to meet the minimum weight requirements.
New standings
Lidl-Trek's Elisa Balsamo was promoted to stage winner and will wear the maglia rosa on Sunday. Canyon-Sram rider Chiara Consonni moved up to third place on the podium behind Ireland's Lara Gillespie. Balsamo acknowledged the unusual circumstances of her victory while expressing pride in wearing the leader's jersey.
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.
A crash-marred opening day
The 139-kilometre stage from Cesenatico to Ravenna, which concluded with three laps of a 13.2-kilometre city circuit, was marked by multiple crashes. The most serious incident occurred after just 35 kilometres, forcing Movistar's 20-year-old British rider Cat Ferguson to abandon the race on her Giro debut. Her team later confirmed she had been taken to hospital for medical evaluation. The nervous, technical finale through Ravenna's city centre added to the tension, though no further major incidents occurred in the closing kilometres.
Looking ahead
Sunday's second stage covers 156 kilometres from Roncade to Caorle on predominantly flat terrain, offering another opportunity for the sprinters. The overall favourite for the general classification remains Demi Vollering of FDJ-Suez, though she is not expected to feature prominently until the uphill individual time trial on stage four. The race's decisive moment is anticipated on stage eight, which includes the unpaved Colle delle Finestre and a summit finish in Sestriere.
