Tadej Pogacar's purple shorts made illegal! Giro d'Italia leader threatened with disqualification
Cycling
Giro d'Italia organizers gave Tadej Pogacar shorts with a very noticeable colour on stage 3. After the UAE Team Emirates put on the pink jersey, he was also offered grenade-coloured shorts in tribute of the city of Torino and it's football team - in which many players passed away in 1949 on a plane crash. But the UCI was quick to ban this from happening in the space of only hours.
At the start of stage 4 Pogacar was back to black shorts, as expected taking into consideration his team's original attire. Yesterday's specific decision was explained by RCS Sport direction Paulo Bellino:
“We have made a change. Since this year we have made a Pink Jersey with grenade inserts, which recall the Grande Partenza on May 4th and there are various grenade inserts throughout the jersey, in my opinion, absolutely, as per the regulations," he told Eurosport.
"The colors match, because there are colors that recall. We therefore changed the bodysuit with grenade shorts that match the back where the 107 is and some internal colors. We did it with Castelli, who is our sponsor, who in my opinion did a wonderful job," he argued.
"It is clear that it is a little different from the past, but in my opinion, in Castelli's opinion, we are perfectly compliant with the regulation, which talks about harmonization and racing. And, in my opinion, the two colors match and harmonize together."
According to Cyclingnews not only was the equipment forbidden, but on Monday night UAE Team Emirates were warned not to use it, under the threat of disqualifying the race leader himself from the race.
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- I agree, this article is silly. Pogacar won that TdF because he was stronger than Roglic on the time trial not because he was unknown. Each rider has their own strengths and ride to those. Each of the classics and monuments have their own unique features that the riders must strategize.GB25-03-2025
- Yes, I think he still has a lot to say in road cycling. In the CX races he showed a very good gear but... the problem was essentially his NERVOUSNESS then he took bad decisions in finding the best strategies and paths. He needs confidence (calm down) and maybe a very good preparation gave him that.
maria2024202425-03-2025 - I don't believe so sadly, much as pulling another rider into that group I think Tadej and MVDP have raised the game so far they are essentially untouchable. The spoils of this season will be split between them, I believe Tadej will take RVV, LBL and Lombardia, MVDP MSR and Roubaix. I'm not even sure Remco will be at their level when he comes back. Tadej and MVDP are just a step above everyone elseslappers6625-03-2025
- Tadej and MVDP bring that panache back to cycling that we missed right through the Armstrong years, the Sky years and to an extent the couple of Visma tour wins. Whole team blocking a race, no attacking, no excitement till the leaders jumped away inslappers6625-03-2025
- Glad to know he's confident now, even though he didn't win; it's true, he never complains but in past interviews he often expressed his insecurity and bewilderment when he hadn't won the gold on the track or a time trial.maria2024202425-03-2025
- Would be so cool. Might not be possible regularly but a few, even Jungels showed glimpses of his past form after going through mental deserts.Jumpyjohn25-03-2025
- Yeah, might not feel like leaving his family or ending up like Senna or Schumacher. I’d have no problems with that, critics might have a tough time, finding a new target to focus on, maybe Remco? He’d be more tricky.Mistermaumau25-03-2025
- This is cycling, no pills ;-)Mistermaumau25-03-2025
- Many have points, often even good, one has to decide and it’s basically binary, either yes or no each time, like with elections, there’re always unhappy people.Jumpyjohn25-03-2025
- Get an educationJumpyjohn25-03-2025