Astana statement on allegations linking Fuglsang to doping doctor | Sticky Bottle

*Jakob Fuglsang of Astana wins Liège-Bastogne-Liège last year in the colours of Astana; one of the big results he secured that places him 3rd ranked rider in the world at present*

Astana Pro Team has issued a statement denying allegations linking some of its riders to banned doping doctor Michele Ferrari.

Reports in the Scandinavian media at the weekend set out
the contents of what the media outlets said was a report commissioned by Cycling
Anti-doping Foundation (CADF).

It was alleged in the reports Astana’s star turn, Danish
rider Jakob Fuglsang, had a relationship with Ferrari in that they had been
seen together.

The reports further alleged that Fuglsang’s team mate Alexey
Lutsenko was present at one meeting between Ferrari and Fuglsang.

Astana has today issued a statement which denies any links between it and doping or Ferrari. The statement does not refer to Fuglsang and Lutsenko but instead outright denies any of the team is involved in doping or is in any way connected to Ferrari.

*Alexey Lutsenko is said to me mentioned in the CADF report, but only in the context of being present once during an alleged meeting between Fuglsang and Ferrari*

“Astana Pro team has taken note of the press article by
Danish and Norwegian media relating to the existence of an alleged confidential
report by CADF suspecting some riders of the team to have been in contact with
banned Dr Michele Ferrari,” the statement reads.

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“Astana Pro Team is committed to the fight against doping
in sport. The team requires from all its affiliated riders that they comply all
time with all obligations under anti-doping regulations, including the
prohibition to be associated with banned individuals or doctors.

“The team does not collaborate with any suspicious
doctor, such as Dr Michele Ferrari. The riders are not authorized to consult
any doctors external to the team in order to perform any activity, or to be
prescribed any diet or treatment, related to their performance.

“The licence of Astana Pro Team has been renewed for the
year 2020, confirming the full compliance by the team with all its obligations,
including in terms of fight against doping in cycling.

“The team is in contact with the UCI and CADF in order to
know more; it will collaborate with any inquiry that could be opened by CADF or
the UCI.

“However, for the time being, no procedure has been
initiated against any rider affiliated to the team.

“The Astana Pro Team trusts that if the CADF had any
evidence of wrongdoing by any rider of the team, disciplinary proceedings would
have been immediately initiated in accordance with anti-doping regulations and
the World Anti-doping Code.”