Wiebes disqualified after winning opening Giro stage

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Lorena Wiebes won the points classification at last year's Giro d'Italia [Getty Images]

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.

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Lorena Wiebes celebrates as she crosses the finish line of the opening Giro stage [Getty Images]

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

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)

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