UCI protest leads to E3 Harelbeke dropping sexist poster

Responding to widespread criticism about a controversial poster released by the organisers of the E3 Harelbeke semi-Classic in March, the UCI has forced those organisers to drop their usage of the image in question.

Earlier this week the organisers released the image, which showed the rear view of a young woman with a skirt blowing upwards and exposing underwear with the race’s logo on them.

To the left of the woman, a rider’s arm is visible, reaching to grasp her exposed behind.

The caption read Wie ‘knijpt’ ze in Harelbeke’, translating as ‘who squeezes them in Harelbeke?’

The photo and caption appeared to be a reference to Peter Sagan’s decision to pinch a podium girl during the podium presentation at the 2013 Tour of Flanders.

He later apologised for his actions and presented the woman in question with flowers in order to make amends.

Following the cacophony of complaints, the UCI has now issued a statement making its opposition clear and reporting that the image in question will no longer be used.

“The Union Cycliste Internationale (UCI) was extremely unhappy with the promotional poster of the 2015 E3 Harelbeke,” it said.

“We have reminded the organiser of its responsibility and the UCI Regulations and they have agreed to take off the poster from all communication platforms.”

This is not the first time those organisers have resorted to such publicity: past editions of the race have used images of naked women to publicise the event.

The latest development will be interpreted as both the power of social media to influence change and also the UCI’s growing consideration of women’s cycling.

The governing body has invested in this side of the sport in an attempt to help it grow.

Image: Peter Sagan in the 2013 E3 Harelbeke race.

Mike O’Hanlon

And, of course, they have achieved maximum publicity from it already!
- A
  
  Yep. Had never heard of the race until the other day. Might even check the results now.
  
  Sad but true.
  - jules
    
    it used to be called something else, i can’t recall what though
    - pk
      
      E3 Prijs Vlaanderen
  - jessy_vee
    
    It’s been running since 1958. Runs along the length of the E3 motorway (which has now been renamed to A14). The race was known as Harelbeke-Anvers-Harelbeke until the E3 motorway was constructed in the mid-sixties. From the 54th edition in 2011 on the word Prijs was removed from its name.
    Phil Anderson won it in 1985. The race is considered a good lead in to the Tour of Flanders as it covers most of the same climbs, but isn’t as long. Good race to check the form of the favourites for the classics!
    
    :)
Steve G

Good.
Ditch the podium girls too; it’s a sport, not an episode of “The Bachelor”.
Dave

And this whole storm in a teacup - which the court of public opinion was already dealing with - happened while the UCI was staring down the barrel at the possibility of their most prestigious record being broken by a rider doped to the eyeballs with EPO.

It’s amazing how desperately people will fight for any small victory when they want to deny the fact that they aren’t in control of the big issues.
- CB
  
  So sexism in sport is a small issue?
  - Dave
    
    Well, I guess ignoring the decline of cycling as an international sport so it becomes terminal would be ONE way to eliminate sexism in cycling.
    - CB
      
      “their most prestigious record being broken by a rider doped to the eyeballs with EPO”, are you referring to now or years ago when he was busted? If the former then he would have to be Jonathon Tiernan-Locke foolish. This conversation/commentary is perhaps best had under the article on his attempt, not via an attempt to downplay, make irrelevant or minimise the inappropriateness of this outdated, sexist and marginalising advertising material.
a different ben

The twitter profile for @E3Harelbeke still has the poster as the main image, so: sorry, not sorry.
- jules
  
  from their acct: “After the commotion caused by the launch of the new banner the board will decide tomorrow on the further course v / d campaign”
Mark

Wow talk about pc sensitive vaginas in this world ..isis is killing people left and right and this is whay people bitch about? Wow
- Betty W.
  
  Sensitive vaginas? “Why do people say “grow some balls”? Balls are weak and sensitive. If you wanna be tough, grow a vagina. Those things can take a pounding.”
Ronin

“Widespread criticism”. Yeah right.

UCI protest leads to E3 Harelbeke dropping sexist poster

By Shane Stokes - February 26, 2015