If the UCI and the responsible bodies couldn't make the right decisions early enough, then long-term, it's very bad for cycling that the protesters managed to get what they wanted. From now on, it's clear that a cycling race can be used as an effective stage for protests and next time it will only get worse, because someone allowed it to happen and looked the other way.
The UCI's decision to require GPS trackers caused controversy, leading four WorldTeams and one ProTeam to protest against the mandatory use of safety devices.
Vollering's fine and relegation stemmed from a UCI rule prohibiting celebratory actions that could endanger others during a sprint finish, affecting her standings momentarily.
I think it's definitely an interesting place that US cycling is in. But yeah, I mean, just look at the results at the highest level, something's working.
We had a lot of goals, number one was to win the GC. Number two was to win the race, number three was team GC. QOM was our next goal too, and we got that one too so we're happy," Stephens told organisers at the finish on Tuesday.