Mega frustration for Olympic champion
Incorrect handlebar position – Rad-Star Vos is subsequently denied victory
Bitter news for the cycling star Marianne Vos (35): After the award ceremony, the Dutchwoman is informed that she will be disqualified. The reason for this is an unauthorized handlebar position.
Cycling star Marianne Vos (35) has already received the bouquet of flowers for winning the one-day race in Vargarda (Sweden) when the racing jury gets involved. This comes to the end: The Olympic champion is subsequently disqualified.
The reason for this is the so-called “Puppy Paws” attitude. In this, the pros let go of the handlebars and support themselves with their forearms in the middle of the handlebars. Since April 1, 2021, this position, in which the hands are reminiscent of puppy paws, has been prohibited. A rule change that met with great incomprehension in the cycling world. “Now it’s getting ridiculous,” wrote the German Rick Zabel (28) on Instagram.
“Moment of carelessness”
The Dutchwoman held this position for just five seconds in the race, which is why she was subsequently stripped of her victory. On Instagram, this year’s Tour de France winner thanks the team for their effort and immediately apologizes for their offence: “I apologize for the moment of inattention in which I supported my arms on the handlebars, which ended up being mine disqualification.”
Audrey Cordon-Ragot (32) from the Trek-Segafredo team inherits the victory. The Frenchwoman is happy about the unexpected victory, but her feelings are divided. “I’m extremely happy with the race I showed,” she is quoted as saying on her team’s website. “On the other hand, it’s a strange situation. I was happy with second place and I knew that I was being beaten by the currently strongest driver.”
Suddenly the news came that she had won after all. She then paid tribute to the three-time world champion: “Hats off to Marianne because she was the first to realize that rules are rules and she accepted the punishment.” (che)