Jakob Fuglsang: Team Astana deny link to disgraced doping doctor Michele Ferrari after leaked report

Media in Denmark, Fuglsang’s homeland, claim the rider was spotted interval training with Ferrari

Fuglsang was one of the leading riders in 2019 (Getty)

Team Astana have denied any relationship with the disgraced doping doctor Michele Ferrari after a leaked report linked him to the Kazakh team’s star rider, Jakob Fuglsang.

According to the report by the Cycling Anti-Doping Foundation (CADF), Ferrari was seen at the 2019 Vuelta a Catalunya with the Astana team and had a meeting in Monaco with both Fuglsang and teammate Alexey Lutsenko. The report is investigating any links between Ferrari, his son Stefano, and Team Astana, with particular scrutiny on Fuglsang.

Media in Denmark, Fuglsang’s homeland, claim the rider was spotted interval training with Ferrari, trailing a scooter near Monaco. One rider who allegedly saw them together is refusing to come forward and give his account, according to Politiken sources.

Fuglsang, 34, has enjoyed a late flourish to his career with particular success in 2019, winning the Vuelta a Andalucia, the Criterium du Dauphine and Liege-Bastogne-Liege.

A statement read: “Astana Pro team has taken note of the press article by Danish and Norwegian media relating to the existence of an alleged confidential report by CADF suspecting some riders of the team to have been in contact with banned Dr Michele Ferrari.

“Astana Pro Team is committed to the fight against doping in sport. The team requires from all its affiliated riders that they comply all time with all obligations under anti-doping regulations, including the prohibition to be associated with banned individuals or doctors. The team does not collaborate with any suspicious doctor, such as Dr Michele Ferrari. The riders are not authorised to consult any doctors external to the team in order to perform any activity, or to be prescribed any diet or treatment, related to their performance.”