VIDEO | Controversial decision in Tour of Slovenia as jury denies Rui Oliveira stage win

The Tour of Slovenia delivered early fireworks on Stage 2, but not the kind Rui Oliveira was hoping for. The Portuguese rider from UAE Team Emirates – XRG thought he had just secured the first professional victory of his career, only to be disqualified over half an hour later for an infringement in the final sprint.

Oliveira crossed the line first after a powerful late surge, overtaking Fabio Christen, who had led out the sprint. But jubilation quickly turned to confusion, and eventually heartbreak, as Christen protested the result. The race jury reviewed the footage and ruled that Oliveira had deviated from his line, impeding the Swiss rider.

The move was subtle, but officials deemed it enough to influence the outcome of the sprint. Oliveira was subsequently relegated to sixth place, and Christen was awarded the stage win and now leads the general classification.

The decision has sparked debate among fans and commentators, with some arguing the deviation was minimal. It is a harsh call, but there is a deviation from the line by Oliveira. Was it enough to warrant this decision?

It’s a bitter blow for Oliveira, who had celebrated what he believed was a long-awaited maiden win. For Christen, he now firmly controls the Tour of Slovenia after the opening two stages of the race. Watch the move down below, and let us know your thoughts in the comments.