I vote that they may actually be pretty women/models that may actually ride bikes. I would personally give Cannondale props for not going down the bike show babe boobage road.

They are in regular bike clothes, not hot pants and bikini tops.
Flat shoes, not stilettos.
Boobs not popping out: no cleavage showing.

So they don't have "toned" arms or legs. Big Deal. How many of you do? How many of us "look" like cyclists?

I get that the whole podium girl thing is rather distasteful. For me, on the scale of marketing offensiveness, this doesn't even rate a blip.

Sometimes I think TE members are in danger of being elitist and snobbish.... if someone doesn't look just right, or use the right lingo (omg... they said "retailer" instead of LBS" ) someone is quick to jump all over it. This sport is supposed to be for everyone, not just those of us in the know.