LottoNL-Jumbo get their own rider demoted in Tirreno time trial standings after timing error

Tom Leezer at the 2015 Tour de France (Sunada)

(Image credit: Yuzuru SUNADA)

published 16 March 2016

Tom Leezer is not exactly famous for his time trial ability, so when he was initially listed as having finished fifth fastest in the Tirreno-Adriatico time trial there were a few raised eyebrows, notably within his own team.

LottoNL-Jumbo decided that in the spirit of fair play they ought to notify organisers RCS Sport that Leezer's actual time was 50 seconds slower than the one he'd been awarded, bumping him down nearly 100 places in the standings.

While Leezer actually crossed the line 1-06 behind winner Fabian Cancellara, the timings had him just 16 seconds down, putting him behind the Swiss, Johan Le Bon (FDJ) Tony Martin (Etixx-Quick Step) and Alex Dowsett (Movistar).

LottoNL-Jumbo team manager Tom Boven said (opens in new tab): "I followed Tom during his trial and he took a time that was 20 seconds slower than Maarten Tjallingii [who came 43rd]. Because we want the sport to be as fair as possible, notify the jury that the result was wrong."

While it may have been a mistake, Leezer could have dined out on that story for years if it had stood.

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Stuart Clarke is a News Associates trained journalist who has worked for the likes of the British Olympic Associate, British Rowing and the England and Wales Cricket Board, and of course Cycling Weekly. His work at Cycling Weekly has focused upon professional racing, following the World Tour races and its characters.

LottoNL-Jumbo get their own rider demoted in Tirreno time trial standings after timing error

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