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Vuelta does away with podium kisses, introduces podium hosts

Race owner Unipublic takes action in response to debate on social media

Podium hostesses at the Vuelta a Espana will no longer be obliged to plant kisses on the cheeks of riders, organisers have announced - and they will also be introducing male podium hosts.

Race owner Unipublic, which is owned by Tour de France organisers ASO, says it has decided to change its approach to podium ceremonies, which have attracted criticism on social media for being sexist and objectifying women.

Unipublic's Laura Cueto Morillo told the BBC: "We are not eliminating the hostesses altogether. We are not getting rid of those jobs.

"What we don't want is the usual photo of a winner getting a kiss on each cheek."

But Cueto explained that kisses won't be banned outright.

"Kisses are a typical greeting here. If the hostesses or the local mayor or whoever else wants to give kisses, that's fine," she said.

Meanwhile, today at the Tour de France ... President Macron "picks up all the jerseys."

Last month, AG2R-La Mondiale rider Jan Bakelants apologised for comments made in an interview in which he said he'd be packing condoms in his suitcase for the Tour de France.

He had said: "You never know where those podiummissen [podium hostesses] hang out!”

> Jan Bakelants apologises for podium hostess comments

This year's Tour Down Under saw podium hostesses replaced by junior riders following a decision by the South Australian Government, which organises the race and had already withdrawn funding for'grid girls' at motor racing events in the state.

> Young riders to replace podium hostesses at Tour Down Under

This year's Vuelta starts in Nimes, southern France, on 19 August.

Mark Cavendish in 2014 Tirreno-Adriatico leader's jersey (photo LaPresse)

Simon joined road.cc as news editor in 2009 and is now the site’s community editor, acting as a link between the team producing the content and our readers. A law and languages graduate, published translator and former retail analyst, he has reported on issues as diverse as cycling-related court cases, anti-doping investigations, the latest developments in the bike industry and the sport’s biggest races. Now back in London full-time after 15 years living in Oxford and Cambridge, he loves cycling along the Thames but misses having his former riding buddy, Elodie the miniature schnauzer, in the basket in front of him.

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3 comments

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RobD | 6 years ago
0 likes

About time really, I've no problem with girls on the podium to hand out flowers and the random stuffed toy, but the often awkward kiss on the cheek where everyone just looks a bit uncomfortable is long overdue to go. at least Jan Bakelants can say he's had a positive progressive effect on the sport...

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Yorkshire wallet | 6 years ago
2 likes

Cycling was progressive before it even knew it. Look at the rainbow jersey!

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BarryBianchi | 6 years ago
1 like

As night follows day, I confirm I'm not doing the Vuelta this year, and the podium girls lose interest...

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