In a recent development, an American women’s cycling team has faced sanctions from the Union Cycliste Internationale (UCI) for engaging in fraudulent activities. The team, known as Cynisca Cycling, was found to have tried to deceive race regulations by instructing a mechanic to pose as a rider in order to meet the requirement of having five riders per team at the Argenta Classic event in Belgium last July.
The UCI, the governing body of the sport, revealed that a Disciplinary Commission had determined that the team had indeed attempted to circumvent the rules. Despite only having four riders present for the event, members of the team resorted to fraudulent actions to make it appear as if a fifth rider was available.
According to a statement from the UCI, Sports Director Danny Van Haute instructed riders Anna Hicks, Cara O’Neil, Katherine Sarkisov, and Claire Windsor to provide false information regarding the missing fifth rider.
Initially claiming that the fifth rider was “present but ill,” the team was informed that they would not be permitted to compete unless the missing rider physically signed in and was prepared to participate in the event.
As a result of these actions, Van Haute instructed the team’s mechanic, Moira Barrett, to dress in rider’s clothing and a face mask, and present herself at the start line to sign the start sheet as the fifth rider for the team.
Consequently, Van Haute received a suspension from all cycling activities until December 31, 2025, in addition to a fine. The four riders involved also faced sanctions, with Barrett being banned until September 2024. The team itself was fined and suspended from the next event on the UCI International Calendar.
Despite these developments, Cynisca Cycling has yet to provide a response to requests for comment on the matter. The final decision is still subject to potential appeal to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS).
(Reporting by Martyn Herman, editing by Ed Osmond)
