Following on from the incident on Tuesday’s stage of the Giro d’Italia when overall contender Richie Porte (Team Sky) was penalised two minutes for taking a wheel from a rider from another team after puncturing, another incident has come to light which could have resulted in race leader, Alberto Contador (Tinkoff-Saxo), being thrown off the race.
Contador was spotted on TV removing his helmet to take off his cap underneath, during yesterday’s 11th stage from Forli to Imola. However, taking off his helmet during a race contravenes a UCI rule. According to UCI rule 12.1.040/3.3, a “Rider taking off the mandatory helmet during the race” should receive a fine of 100 Swiss Francs and be disqualified from the race.
The Spaniard seemed unconcerned about the incident when asked at the press conference afterwards. He said, “As for my helmet, it’s something that you do. You take the cap off, and you put the helmet back on. Today, it seems that everything is looked at, but it’s something that is habitual. The helmet was with me all the time, so it’s not a problem.”
A number of journalists asked the UCI jury president about the incident after the race, but he would not comment. These incidents highlight the need for a consistent approach from commissaires during races, and also the requirement for a review of their rule book.
