Following reports that Jakub Fuglsang and Alexey Lutsenko were allegedly associated with banned doping doctor Michele Ferrari, the Astana team issued a press release distancing itself from the disgraced Italian doctor.

In the statement, the Kazakhstan team confirmed its commitment to the fight against doping and noted that athletes are not allowed to work with outside doctors. However, the team statement avoided specifically mentioning Fuglsang or Lutsenko. Lutsenko is expected to issue his own statement later Monday.

"The Astana Pro team has taken note of press articles by the Danish and Norwegian media regarding the existence of a confidential report by the CADF that some of the team's riders are suspected of having had contact with the banned Dr. Michele Ferrari.

"The Astana Pro Team is committed to the fight against doping in sport. The Astana ProTeam is committed to the fight against doping in sport. The team expects all its athletes to comply at all times with all obligations under the anti-doping rules, including the prohibition of association with prohibited persons or doctors.

"Teams will not work with questionable physicians such as Dr. Michele Ferrari. Athletes are not permitted to consult with physicians outside the team for performance-related activities or to be prescribed diets or treatments."

"The team will not consult with any physician outside the team for any performance-related activities or to be prescribed diets or treatments.

The team further announced that its World Tour license has been renewed by the UCI for the 2020 season.

"The Astana Pro Team's license has been renewed for the 2020 season, confirming that the team is in full compliance with all its obligations, including the fight against doping in cycling. [The team will stay in contact with the UCI and the CADF and cooperate with any investigation that may be conducted by the CADF or the UCI in order to obtain more information."

Astana noted that no anti-doping proceedings have been initiated by the CADF or the UCI.

"However, for the time being, no proceedings have been initiated against any athlete on the team. The Astana Pro Team believes that if the CADF had evidence of misconduct by the team's riders, disciplinary proceedings would have been initiated immediately in accordance with the Anti-Doping Rules and the World Anti-Doping Code."

The Danish news media Politiken, the Danish television station DR, and the Norwegian newspaper VG reported on Fuglsang's alleged relationship with Ferrari. The allegations arose from an investigation commissioned by the Cycling Anti-Doping Foundation (CADF) last year.

The CADF report was written by an outside agency and cited information that Ferrari participated in the 2019 Volta a Catalunya with Astana and met with both Fuglsang and Lutsenko that year. Furthermore, according to eyewitness accounts cited by Politiken, Ferrari put Fuglsang on the motor pace in Monaco.

If these allegations prove to be true, they would violate the WADA Code, specifically Article 2.10. The Code prohibits athletes from associating (including receiving training or other advice) with an "Athlete Support Person" who is currently serving a period of suspension.

Violations of this rule are sanctioned for two years, but may be reduced to one year depending on the degree of fault and circumstances.