Slovakian cyclist Peter Sagan criticised for pinching the bottom of podium girl after Tour de Flande

[The Straight Story]

He is an athlete more normally known for his dedication to his sport – and his talent on a bike. In fact, before today, perhaps the most notable thing about Slovakian cyclist Peter Sagan was his reputation for wacky victory celebrations: doing the running man or impersonating the Incredible Hulk to mark a win.

But that was before a photograph of him pinching the bottom of a podium girl at the end of the Tour de Flanders emerged.

Sagan was placed second in the Tour de Flanders race today and climbed onto the winners’ podium, along with third-placed Jurgen Roelandts and winner Fabian Cancellara, who was flanked by two hostesses.

As the women leaned in to give the Swiss champion the customary peck on the cheek, Sagan extended a cheeky hand of friendship – and goosed the blonde. Cue social media outrage.


UCI World cycling champion and Irish Paracycling Team member Colin Lynch wrote: “Despite the symbolism of being kissed by scantily-clad women & then spraying champagne all over the place, groping them before is (off) limits.

http://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/sport/othersports/slovakian-cyclist-peter-sagan-criticised-for-pinching-the-bottom-of-podium-girl-after-tour-de-flanders-29166831.html

Radio Shack sponsors cycling? They are still in business?

[Nye Bevan]

1. Oh my God. I can scarcely contain my outrage.

Ban that dude for life.

[Journeyman]

2. Scantily-clad? . . .

[The Straight Story]

3. Well, they are not wearing burkas (nt)

[Brother Buzz]

4. I don't know about Radio Shack, but I suspect Cannondale sales are going to spike a bit

All publicity is good publicity

[Arcanetrance]

5. He should be banned from the sport and arrested

[Le Taz Hot]

6. I know, I know, we should all just get a sense of humor

and quit being ashamed of our bodies in 3 . . . 2 . . . 1 . . .

Oh wait, I'm too late. They already showed up.

[undeterred]

7. He should have to stick the same fingers in a wild animals cage.

[bluestate10]

8. Doesn't surprise me. The upper echelons of male cycling are very much macho environs.

In addition to blaming the bonehead who grabbed the woman's Tush, pound the sponsors that trip over themselves to bring attractive females on stage to kiss the winner.

[The Straight Story]

9. As one cyclist noted:

And Dave Dee, cyclist from the Wirral, said: “Now a chance for enlightened tour organisers to drop podium girls.”