Human Powered Health distraught after 'extreme' disqualification of rider following bike change
'They could have given us a hefty fine instead of killing some 21-year-old's hopes and dreams,' says DS Andrew Bajadali
Stage five of the 2022 For de France Femmes avec Zwift saw the longest stage in modern women’s WorldTour racing: 175km long and without much apparent difficulty. Still, it proved to be a gutting stage for Human Powered Health.
With 60 kilometers to go, a small breakaway was riding out in front of the peloton and the favorites were happy to let them dangle there. The American team was represented in the break with Cyprus national champion Antri Christoforou.
In the peloton, the team's climber and leader for the mountain stages, Barbara Malcotti, got on the team radio informing the directors Andrew Bajadali and Jo Kiesanowski that her shifter had broken and she wanted a bike change.
In women’s cycling, however, teams are only allowed one team car in the peloton and so Bajadali had to leave his breakaway rider to drop back into the peloton in order to come to Malcotti's aide.
“I was like 'sweet, we need to come back anyways and service our rider so let’s pull off side the road, and we'll do it'. We did it really efficiently. Cyclocross-style: I take the bike, [the mechanic] gives her the new bike and we’re off and rolling,” Bajaldi told Cycling Weekly.
Minutes later, however, with Malcotti back in the peloton, the Commissaires came on the race radio informing the peloton that Malcotti was now disqualified from the race for 'an irregular assistance’.
It turned out that the team car had dropped back from the breakaway to the front of the peloton, and pulled off to the right side off the road as the bunch travelled on the left. Malcotti, riding in the front of the peloton, crossed to the other side of the road to complete her bike change and return back to the pack.
Get The Leadout Newsletter
The latest race content, interviews, features, reviews and expert buying guides, direct to your inbox!
But the Technical Support section of the UCI Rule Book (2.3.030) states that a rider may receive assistance and mechanical checks "only to the rear of [the] bunch and when stationary.”
The UCI rulebook is equally specific about the penalty: a disqualification and a 500 CHF. The exception being in case of a fall or crash, in which case it's up to the Commissaires' discretion what penalty might be.
"I don't know what the deal is. Maybe they want to set an example but they could have given us a hefty fine and a big warning, and that would've been sufficient instead of killing some 21-year-old rider's hopes and dreams and making everyone distraught over it," argued Bajaldi in frustration. "I mean, what kind of precedence does that set?”
Sticky bottles, motor pacing, feeding all sorts of minor infractions are made in just about every stage. In fact, on this very stage AG Insurance–NXTG was fined 100 CHF for feeding, and half the Roland Cogeas team was fined 100 CHF each for missing a race number.
"I understand the safety aspect of it, where the rider at the front could cause his crash, but we were way off on the right side and it was a safe bike change," Bajaldi said.
"But the Comm just wouldn't hear any of it. A fine which would've been totally appropriate in the situation, but for them to do this, it's pretty extreme in my opinion. It's way out there."
Bajaldi said he was gutted for the young rider and took on all the blame.
"Poor girl. I have no words. This is a big mistake and I own it. We should be in the know. Part of this job is making mistakes, and this is a big one. It's a technical aspect and I'm telling [the other directors] just so it's fresh in everyone's mind," he said.
Thank you for reading 20 articles this month* Join now for unlimited access
Enjoy your first month for just £1 / $1 / €1
*Read 5 free articles per month without a subscription
Join now for unlimited access
Try first month for just £1 / $1 / €1
Cycling Weekly's North American Editor, Anne-Marije Rook is old school. She holds a degree in journalism and started out as a newspaper reporter — in print! She can even be seen bringing a pen and notepad to the press conference.
Originally from The Netherlands, she grew up a bike commuter and didn't find bike racing until her early twenties when living in Seattle, Washington. Strengthened by the many miles spent darting around Seattle's hilly streets on a steel single speed, Rook's progression in the sport was a quick one. As she competed at the elite level, her journalism career followed, and soon she became a full-time cycling journalist. She's now been a cycling journalist for 11 years.
-
Forget distance covered, these are the key stats to note in your Strava Year in Sport
We asked a coach how to best analyse our end of year Strava data
By Tom Davidson Published
-
'She should show a bit more respect' - Lotte Kopecky responds to Demi Vollering comments
The pair seemingly had one last fractious year together at SD Worx-Protime in 2024
By Tom Davidson Published
-
'We want to win it again' - Canyon-SRAM set sights on history at Tour de France Femmes 2025
Kasia Niewiadoma 'very optimistic' about yellow jersey defence following route announcement
By Tom Davidson Published
-
Milan-San Remo addition will 'raise the level even higher' in women’s cycling, says Kasia Niewiadoma
'It's really motivating to see that in just one season, everything can change' says Tour de France Femmes winner as she reflects on a year of success on the road
By Tom Thewlis Published
-
A new era emerges: meet the rising talent that stole the show at the Tour de France Femmes
A familiar face may have won the race, but rising stars shone brightest. Here are the names you'll want to remember in the seasons ahead.
By Anne-Marije Rook Published
-
'I lost the faith that I could still do it' - Kasia Niewiadoma conquers the ‘Mountain of Emotions’ for Tour de France Triumph
"I've gone through such a terrible time on this climb. I hated everything," shares the yellow jersey victor.
By Anne-Marije Rook Published
-
Niewiadoma claims 2024 Tour de France Femmes yellow jersey in nail-biting battle with Vollering on Alpe d'Huez
Vollering wins the stage, but comes up just short to win the race overall. Rooijakkers second, Muzic third.
By Dan Challis Published
-
'1:15 isn't much' - SD Worx confident in Demi Vollering for grand finale on Alpe d'Huez
Eyes turn to Alpe d’Huez showdown as GC battle stalls on Le Grand-Bornand
By Anne-Marije Rook Published
-
Polka Dot jersey Justine Ghekiere conquers Tour de France Femmes stage 7 as Niewiadoma holds onto yellow
Belgian victorious from breakaway, Vollering and Niewiadoma in stalemate in first Alpine battle
By Dan Challis Published
-
Who's won the 2024 Tour de France Femmes avec Zwift?
The full general classification, along with the latest stage result, and the standings for the other jerseys
By Cycling Weekly Published