The international cycling federation UCI will investigate the statements of Dries De Bondt. The Belgian is currently riding for Decathlon-AG2R La Mondiale, but recently admitted that he did some work at the front of the peloton for another team during the Giro d’Italia.
De Bondt’s contract with his current employer expires after this season. The 33-year-old rider does not yet know which team he will ride for next season.
During the Giro, De Bondt wanted to show himself, with a view to next season. “That’s why I let several teams know that I am open for a conversation,” he told WielerFlits earlier this month.
In Italy, De Bondt already came into contact with Ken Vanmarcke, the Belgian team leader of EF Education-EasyPost. That team was still in the race for the general classification with Richard Carapaz. Vanmarcke asked his compatriot to do some work at the front in the decisive twentieth stage for Carapaz.
“If you are there and you can play a role that is important in the final result of the Giro, then something serious can be attached to it,” Vanmarcke would have said according to De Bondt, referring to a possible contract with EF Education-EasyPost.
UCI opens investigation
De Bondt’s confessions may have consequences. The UCI announced on Friday that the Ethics Committee of the cycling federation will look into the matter.
“The UCI is referring the matter to the Ethics Committee. If it appears that the behavior of the rider and the team leader is contrary to the UCI’s Code of Ethics, sanctions may follow,” the cycling federation said in a statement. The exact nature of these possible sanctions is not explained.
De Bondt’s work for Carapaz was ultimately without result. Not the Ecuadorian, but Simon Yates took the pink jersey in that mountain stage and then won the Giro.