The script was torn up on Tuesday at the Giro d’Italia, as an innocuous flat stage turned into a major loss for GC favorite Richie Porte (Sky). He flatted just outside of five kilometers to go, which was bad, but then he was aided by Simon Clarke (Orica-GreenEdge), which was worse — the UCI race jury decided to throw the book at the two Australians, docking each two minutes in the overall.
Current and former pro cyclists, team directors, journalists, and others quickly took to Twitter to sound off on the jury’s decision. Here are a few soundbites from the day.
If that’s not Aussie mate ship them what is? Punctured and clarkey gave me his front wheel… https://t.co/bu9tf3AhX4
— Richie Porte (@richie_porte) May 19, 2015
So cool to see @SimoClarke help out @richie_porte with a wheel in the final of the Giro today. Love the respect between them. Champions
— Koen de Kort (@koendekort) May 19, 2015
I've been cheering for @natebrown0707 whiles he's racing at the Giro. Does that mean that @UCI_cycling is going to give me a ban?!?
— Lawson Craddock (@lawsoncraddock) May 19, 2015
I hope this is fine is a belated Aprils fools joke???
— Tom Dumoulin (@tom_dumoulin) May 19, 2015
.@richwag Lost the Vuelta a Venezuela in 1993 because I didn’t sign in on time. It was in the rules. Just know how bad it hurts. Btw-Im old.
— Jonathan Vaughters (@Vaughters) May 19, 2015
**** situation. Porte obv didn't set out to do anything malicious; doubt he knew of penalty. UCI race jury had no choice but to enforce rule
— Neal Rogers (@nealrogers) May 19, 2015
Fairplay wordt nu ook al bestraft, schandalig is dat #Giro — Gianni Meersman (@GianniMeersman) May 19, 2015
Translation: “Fairplay is now punished, outrageous is that #Giro”
GC shouldn’t be decided by this kind of rule. Flat tire alone in critical moment is penalty enough! @richie_porte @giroditalia
— Chris Horner (@hornerakg) May 19, 2015
Shame @UCI_cycling continue to show how incredibly out of touch they are with the modern peloton. Stupid is as stupid does.
— David Millar (@millarmind) May 19, 2015
@EuroHoody think Porte is still going to buy Clarke a beer?
— Craig Lewis (@craiglewis85) May 19, 2015
What a horrible penalty for @richie_porte. Is it really necessary to punish him that hard? And destroy his overal classification?
— Johnny Hoogerland (@zeeuwseleeuw) May 19, 2015
What's not fairplay about helping to make sure @giroditalia is decided by strength, not by bad luck?
— Stef (@Stefclement) May 19, 2015
How do you say "********" in Italian?
— Jonathan Vaughters (@Vaughters) May 19, 2015
Amazing how something like holding onto cars can just fly under the radar, but then they enforce this?
— Joe Dombrowski (@JoeDombro) May 19, 2015
And I think the fact that every rider I’ve seen react to ruling feels that it’s too harsh speaks volumes. It’s their battlefield, after all.
— Neal Rogers (@nealrogers) May 19, 2015
The post Reactions to Porte’s stage 10 time penalty appeared first on VeloNews.com.
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