While Dries de Bondt recently said that he had helped Richard Carapaz during the 20th stage of the last Giro on the background of a contract for next season, the UCI decided to seize its ethics committee.
Dries de Bondt probably had the tongue too well hanged. On the occasion of an interview with the Dutch -speaking specialized site
BikeThe Decathlon-Ag2r La Mondiale team returned to his behavior during the 20th stage of the last Giro. On the slopes of the fine delle glue, the Belgian could be seen rolling to help Richard Carapaz to resist the offensive of Simon Yates. A gesture that was not only generous towards the Ecuadorian runner.
At the end of the contract with the Decathlon-AG2R La Mondiale training, the Bornem native is looking for a solution for next season, having notably requested the EF Education-Easypost team in which Richard Carapaz and its sports director Ken Vanmarcke evolves. “He said to me: ‘If you are there and you can do something important for the Giro outcome, then something serious could arise,’ said Belgian. These words led me to do what I did, in favor of Richard Carapaz. »»
From Bondt and Vanmarcke to sanctions?
Words that have not escaped the International Cycling Union (UCI), which reacted this Friday through a press release following “a preliminary investigation” about these words of Dries de Bondt. The world body has “Considered that the latter were clearly likely to question the integrity of the competition” and launched a disciplinary procedure via a referral to his ethics committee
“In order for the latter to decide on these facts and envisages possible sanctions against the runner and/or the sports director if their behavior was to be considered as offending the UCI ethics code”.
If she says that“No other comments will be made before the end of the procedure”The worldwide instance opens the doors to sanctions concerning Dries of Bondt but also of Ken Vanmarcke for “Manipulation of cycling events” but also “use of privileged information”Without this questioning Simon Yates’ victory over this Giro 2025.
