• Dutch journalist describes scene as ‘an utter disgrace’ • Lotto Cycling Cup says it is ‘not responsible for this show’

This article is more than 5 years old

This article is more than 5 years old

The organisers of the Lotto Cycling Cup have apologised after the winners of a women’s race in Belgium were greeted on the podium by bikini-clad models.

The Dutch racing cyclist and journalist Marijn de Vries described the scene at the finish of the Flanders Diamond Tour as “an utter disgrace” after the stage from Antwerp to Nijlen was won by the Wiggle Honda rider Jolien d’Hoore.

The Flanders Diamond Tour, a women’s road race, is the penultimate stage of the Lotto Cycling Cup and the organisers were quick to say sorry, pointing out: “We as @LottoCyclingCup want to apologise for the outrageous show o/t LOCAL organisation, we find it also inappropriate.

“We as @LottoCyclingCup are not responsible for this show and let us look to the nice victory of @JolienDhoore @WiggleHonda.”

De Vries responded by saying: “It’s really good you apologise, but... was there no one of your organisation present at the race who could stop this?”