Following multiple complaints of abuse about Team Health Mate-Cyclelive’s general manager, Patrick Van Gansen, the team's lead sponsor Health Mate has taken the decision to end its relationship with the Belgian women's team when the season concludes.
Speaking to Cyclingnews, Jan Vandehoeck, CEO of the sauna manufacturer, said, 'I confirm that the sponsorship is still valid until the end of 2019. We decided not to sign for 2020.'
The termination comes as a result of reports by 10 riders, and in one instance a rider’s father, which detail an unsettling environment resulting directly from Van Gansen’s behaviour. The complaints relate explicitly to the UCI Code of Ethics: Appendix 1, which covers physical and mental integrity, sexual harassment and abuse.
In response the UCI opened a formal investigation last month and will conduct written and oral questioning of all those involved to establish whether their code of ethics has been breached.
A statement by the International Cyclists Union said, 'The UCI has received confirmation from its Ethics Commission that proceedings have formally been initiated in the case of Mr Patrick Van Gansen, General Manager of the Healthmate-Cyclelive Team.
'By this decision, the Ethics Commission confirms that based on a prima facie examination of information at its disposal – most of which has been received in the past few weeks – there is an indication that breaches of the UCI Code of Ethics may have been committed.'
Van Gansen rejects the allegations and is seeking formal legal action against those that publicly came forward, while insisting he will stay on as general manager.