CADF closes investigation into removal of object from Evenepoel’s pocket
The Cycling Anti-doping Foundation (CADF) said Monday that it had concluded its investigation into the removal of an object from Remco Evenepoel’s pocket by Deceuninck-Quick-Step sports director Davide Bramati after Evenepoel crashed at Il Lombardia earlier this year.
“After having heard from all concerned persons, including the rider and the team representatives, the CADF concluded that no anti-doping violation was committed and considers the matter closed, unless new elements are subsequently brought to its attention,” the CADF said in a statement.
“The CADF would like to thank Mr Evenepoel, Mr Bramati and the Team Deceuninck-Quick Step for their collaboration throughout the investigation.”
The investigation was initially opened due to questions that emerged when footage of Bramati taking something out of Evenepoel’s jersey pocket circulated on social media. Deceuninck-Quick-Step said publicly that the item in question was “a small bottle containing nutrition products,” and that Bramati had taken it out of Evenepoel’s pocket so that he could be more comfortable when loaded onto a stretcher. Evenepoel broke his pelvis in the crash.
UCI President David Lappartient had raised the possibility that the object had been a device to transmit live performance data to the team car, in violation of team rules. Decueninck-Quick-Step CEO Patrick Lefevere, however, was critical of the investigation and the manner in which it was initiated, with the UCI requesting that the officially independent CADF investigate the matter, which Lefevere said on Twitter was “proof that CADF is not neutral.”
In Monday’s statement, the CADF provided little detail on the scope of their investigation or its findings, and said that it would “not provide further comment” on the subject. In any case, the matter is now closed.
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