Lorena Wiebes was dramatically disqualified from the women's Giro d'Italia just hours after claiming victory in the opening stage of the race.
The Dutch cyclist, riding for Team SD Worx-Protime, had secured the first maglia rosa — the race leader's pink jersey — by narrowly defeating Italy's Elisa Balsamo and Ireland's Lara Gillespie in a sprint finish in Ravenna.
However, race organisers announced on Saturday evening that the 27-year-old had been expelled from the race for using a bicycle that failed to comply with regulations.
In a statement, officials said Wiebes was disqualified for the "use of a bicycle not in compliance with the regulations, specifically failing to meet the minimum weight requirements".
As a result, Lidl-Trek rider Elisa Balsamo was awarded the stage victory and will wear the maglia rosa heading into Sunday's second stage.
Canyon-Sram's Chiara Consonni was also promoted onto the podium, joining Gillespie in the revised standings.
Reacting to the decision, Balsamo said: "Of course, it is not the way I want to win but this is a decision of the jury.
"In any case, it's an honour to wear the maglia rosa and I am looking forward to trying to defend it in tomorrow's stage."
The 139km opening stage from Cesenatico to Ravenna featured several crashes, including one after just 35km that forced British rider Cat Ferguson of Movistar to abandon the race on her Giro debut.
Movistar later confirmed the 20-year-old had been taken to hospital for medical assessment.
The second stage, a 156km route between Roncade and Caorle, is expected to favour the sprinters once again.
