Following the press release issued by the UCI Women’s Continental Team Doltcini – Van Eyck – Proximus Continental Team in connection with the decision rendered by the UCI Disciplinary Commission earlier today (here), the Union Cycliste Internationale (UCI) would like to clarify that Mr Bracke’s due process rights had been fully complied with. He was in fact given the opportunity to submit his defence before both the UCI Ethics Commission and the UCI Disciplinary Commission. The fact that neither commission deemed it necessary to conduct an oral hearing does not mean that his right to be heard was not respected.
The UCI absolutely recognises Mr Bracke’s right to appeal the decision of the UCI Disciplinary Commission to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) but must state its regret regarding the announcement published by the team in reaction to the decision of the Disciplinary Commission due to the defamatory nature of the text. The UCI has a responsibility to ensure a respectful environment for stakeholders and must condemn such damage to the reputation of the rider Marion Sicot. The UCI Disciplinary Commission made it very clear in its decision that the matter concerned the behaviour of Mr Bracke towards the complainants and any references to the reputation of the riders who denounced his conduct or the context in which such denunciations were made are of no relevance for the assessment of the fact.