The International Cycling Union announced this Monday the sanction to the women’s team Cynisca Cycling continental category for fraud. In July 2023 the American team wants to participate in Argenta Classic – 2 Districtenpijl Ekeren-Deurne despite not having the minimum five runners required to compete. Only four cyclists are available to start and
Danny Van Haute, sports director, suggested to Moira Barrett, the team mechanic, to appear at the signing check dressed for competition and with a mask to try to hide her identity and thus pass herself off as just another cyclist. The sports director instructed his runners not to mention this incident and to lie to the stewards. In the end the team did not participate in the race and after an investigation by the UCI Disciplinary Commission all admitted their guilt.
Under article 12.4.008 of the UCI Regulations, all are penalized to varying degrees depending on their level of involvement. Danny Van Hautethe lead author, has been granted until December 31, 2025 a suspension from any cycling activity.
Moira Barrett, the mechanic, received the same punishment but for less time. Until September 1, 2024. Anna Hicks, Cara O’Neil, Katherine Sarkisov and Claire Windsor, the four cyclists, were deemed to have obeyed their sports manager’s orders and were only reprimanded. By the same token, the team was disqualified from competing in the next event on the international calendar.
Source: La Verdad
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