'The UCI is simply not responding, no one is answering the phone' – SD Worx-Protime 'brushed off' over Lorena Wiebes disqualification

SD Worx-Protime have expressed frustration at the Union Cycliste Internationale’s (UCI) lack of communication following the disqualification of their star rider Lorena Wiebes from the Giro d’Italia Women. Wiebes was stripped of her victory on stage one after her bike was found to be under the minimum weight limit of 6.8kg, a breach of UCI regulations. Despite repeated attempts to engage with the governing body, the team’s manager Erwin Janssen revealed that the UCI has been largely unresponsive, with only their legal representative managing to make contact with senior officials. The controversy centres on the weighing procedure of Wiebes’ Specialized Tarmac SL8, which was equipped with Roval wheels and a SRAM Red groupset. SD Worx-Protime have questioned the accuracy and professionalism of the UCI’s bike-weighing process, noting that their own measurements showed the bike passed the minimum weight requirement by a margin of just 20 grams. The team argues that the disqualification has significant financial repercussions, including lost prize money, UCI points, and potential impacts on sponsorship agreements, and they are preparing to challenge the decision legally, potentially taking the case to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS). Janssen criticised the UCI’s handling of the situation, describing the lack of dialogue as “bizarre” and highlighting a perceived double standard in the professionalism expected of teams compared to the procedures carried out by the UCI. The team’s public dissatisfaction underscores broader concerns about transparency and consistency in regulatory enforcement within professional cycling. Meanwhile, the race organisers, RCS Sport, have upheld the ruling, awarding the stage win and the leader’s pink jersey to Elisa Balsamo of Lidl-Trek. Despite the ongoing dispute, SD Worx-Protime have continued to perform strongly at the Giro, with Anna van der Breggen securing victory in the stage four time trial and taking the overall race lead. The situation remains unresolved as the UCI has yet to issue a formal statement or provide further clarification on the disqualification. The outcome of this dispute could have wider implications for equipment regulations and dispute resolution in women’s professional cycling.