Astana team leader Jakob Fuglsang is under investigation for alleged ties to banned doping doctor Michele Ferrari, Danish news media Politiken reported. The allegations are based on information obtained in an investigation commissioned by the Cycling Anti-Doping Foundation (CADF).

According to Politiken, Astana has refused to comment on the allegations, saying it has not been officially contacted by the UCI or CADF. Furthermore, Ferrari has not responded to Politiken's phone calls and text messages regarding the CADF investigation.

Three news organizations, Politiken, Danish national television DR, and the Norwegian daily VG, have reported having read the 24-page document commissioned by CADF.

The document is reportedly based on information linking Fuglsang to Ferrari; Politiken reports that the information may have come from whistleblowers or witnesses to illegal activities.

Politiken published portions of the CADF document and statements claiming that Fuglsang may have been subjected to a doping program designed by Ferrari. It also noted that Astana teammate Alexey Lutsenko was present at the meeting between Fuglsang and Ferrari.

"According to information from the CADF, Astana ProTeam cyclist Jacob Fuglsang was under Michele Ferrari's doping program and teammate Alexey Lutsenko was present at at least one meeting between the two in Nice/Monaco." The CADF report stated, according to "Politiken".

Politiken also states that the CADF document suggests that Ferrari is still involved in providing a doping program for the Astana Pro Team athletes, traveling to races like Monaco and other places to meet with them.

"Specifically, according to information provided by CADF, Michele Ferrari is participating in the Volta a Catalunya with the Astana Pro team in March 2019, is based in Lugano, Switzerland, and has recently met with Fuglsang and Lutsenko in Nice and Monaco." Politiken cited the CADF report.

Fuglsang joined the Astana Pro team in 2013 and last year won the Vuelta a Andalusia, Tirreno-Adriatico, Liege-Bastogne-Liege, Criterium du Dauphiné, and Vuelta a España stages, among others, one of his most successful seasons, with podium finishes at Strade Bianche, La Flèche Wallonne, and the Amstel Gold Race.

During Armstrong's seven-year reign at the Tour de France, Ferrari received a lifetime ban.

As part of that lifetime ban, Ferrari is prohibited from acting as a consultant to athletes. Ferrari has always denied any wrongdoing.

Politiken said it confronted Fuglsang, Lutsenko, and Astana with the CADF documents and adverse allegations; Politiken said that while there has been no comment from Fuglsang, Lutsenko and Astana have said that the documents are based on "indications and rumors" and that they are not based on UCI or CADF, and that they decided not to comment because they believe there is no official communication with the CADF. 23]

Politiken stated that he, along with DR and VG, had spoken to 12 people in the sport with whom Fuglsang was allegedly working with Ferrari, and one player was in Monaco He said that he had seen Fuglsang drive a Ferrari motor pace

and that he had seen Fuglsang in Monaco.

Astana manager Alexander Vinokurov admitted that he had ties to Ferrari until 2007, when he was banned for blood doping. However, he said that his only connection to Ferrari was for training. He then had ties to Ferrari during a Padua investigation in 2014. In that investigation, 38 names were associated with Ferrari, along with several Astana team players, including Denis Menchov and Roman Kreuziger.

Politiken reached out to the CADF for comment but declined to comment on the ongoing investigation. Michael Ask, CEO of Anti-Doping Denmark, also declined to comment on the CADF report.

UCI issued a statement to Politiken, DR and VG that they are working independently of the CADF UCI issued a statement to Politiken, DR and VG that they are working independently of the CADF.

"As of today, the UCI has not received any report from the CADF to initiate proceedings against individuals and teams. Our Federation is closely monitoring this matter and will take appropriate action in the interest of cycling," the UCI told Politiken.

Cycling News contacted both Fuglsang and Astana. The Danish rider did not return phone calls or messages, and Astana said he hoped to issue a statement Monday morning.

Update from Astana

The Astana team issued the following statement on Monday, February 3: When Cycling News asked Fuglsang directly if he had met with Ferrari since joining the team in 2013, the team said no comment, Fuglsang added that he would release a statement at a later date.

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

The Astana Pro Team is committed to the fight against doping in sport. The team requires all its athletes to comply at all times with all obligations under the anti-doping rules, including the prohibition of any relationship with prohibited individuals or doctors. Teams will not work with questionable physicians such as Dr. Michele Ferrari. Riders are not permitted to consult with physicians outside the team for performance-related activities or to be prescribed diets or treatments.

The Astana Pro Team's license has been renewed until 2020, ensuring that the team is in full compliance with all its obligations, including the fight against doping in cycling.

The team will keep in touch with the UCI and the CADF and cooperate with any investigation that may be carried out by the CADF or the UCI in order to obtain more information.

However, so far no procedures have been initiated for riders on the team. The Astana Pro Team trusts that if the CADF had evidence of misconduct by the team's riders, disciplinary proceedings would have been initiated immediately under the Anti-Doping Rules and the World Anti-Doping Code.