Two more riders disqualified from Giro d’Italia Women after holding onto team car

Greek rider Argyro Milaki of Aromitalia Vaiano and Italian teenager Anita Baima of Isolmant Premac Vittoria were both disqualified following the mountain stage from Longarone to Santo Stefano di Cadore. According to the jury report, the riders were penalised for clinging to either their own team vehicle or that of another squad.

Both riders were also fined 200 Swiss francs and received a yellow card. Isolmant Premac Vittoria sports director Manel Lacambra was removed from the race as well, which strongly suggests the incident involved his team’s car.

The decision adds to a tense few days for officials at the women’s Giro. Earlier in the race, Lorena Wiebes was disqualified after her bike was found to be below the minimum legal weight. With Milaki and Baima now also out of the race, the number of exclusions in this year’s edition has risen to three.

Stage five was one of the toughest days of the race so far, with the mountainous route taking a visible toll on the peloton. Demi Vollering eventually won the stage, taking the sprint from a select group that had survived after her repeated attacks.