Giro d'Italia rider fined - for asking a woman out on a date

A pro cyclist taking part in the Giro d’Italia has been fined by commissaires – for asking a woman out on a date.

LottoNL-Jumbo rider Victor Campenaerts unzipped his skinsuit before the start of the Stage 10 individual time trial on Tuesday to reveal a message that read, ‘Carlien daten?’ – ‘Carlien, a date?’

He also showed the message again as he neared the finish line – though it turns out that its intended recipient, Carlien Cavens (pictured below, centre), wasn’t watching since she was in a work meeting and only learnt of it later when a journalist rang her.

@Vannieuwkerke @VCampenaerts #zijdatencarlien pic.twitter.com/i9b8ZDoUP0

— Carlien Cavens (@Carlien_Cavens) May 16, 2017

Happily, she said ‘yes’ and according to Sporza fancies a meal and perhaps a bike ride – assuming Campenaerts doesn’t want to take some time off riding after the Giro.

But she added: “I certainly do not want to go to the movies. I always fall asleep."

They'll be able to have a beer or three, as well.

@Carlien_Cavens @Vannieuwkerke @VCampenaerts HUGE congratulations to @Carlien_Cavens & @VCampenaerts - please get in touch so we can send you some celebratory à BLOC!

— à BLOC Bicycle Beer (@aBLOCBikeBeer) May 17, 2017

Sporza added that the couple have known each other for a while with Campenaerts helping Cavens, a former triathlete, with her swimming.

Campenaerts’ romantic message was met with a frostier reception by the UCI, however, which fined him 100 Swiss Francs.

Commissaire Luc Herpelinck told Sporza: “If he wanted to send a message, that’s fine. But not during the race, and not with his upper body uncovered.

“There’s no place for that in a serious race like the Giro. Cycling must not be used for this reason.”

“It’s better the riders’ take their romance away from the sport,” he added. presumably after a brief pause to suck on a lemon.

“If we ignore it this time, we’re leaving it open to happen another time.”

A Belgian journalist has set up a Go Fund Me page to pay the fine for the rider.

To date, it has raised €31 of the €91 target.