An independent anti-doping report revealed to parts of the Danish press has linked Liège-Bastogne-Liège champion Jakob Fuglsang to banned doctor Michele Ferrari.
Danish newspaper Politiken acquired the report compiled by the Cycling Anti-Doping Foundation (CADF) – an independent body that conducts doping control on behalf of the UCI – that suggests the 34-year-old Dane worked with Ferrari during the 2019 season and that Astana teammate Alexey Lutsenko was present at one of the meetings.
'Information from the Cycling Anti-Doping Foundation (CADF) indicates that (Astana rider) Jakob Fuglsang is part of the program of Michele Ferrari, and that his teammate Alexey Lutsenko was present during at least one meeting between them in Nice/Monaco,' read the report form Politiken.
'CADF has obtained information suggesting that Michele Ferrari continues to be involved in the doping of athletes at the Astana team and that he went to Monaco and other places to meet the riders.'
It is claimed that the 24-page report into Fuglsang, Ferrari and their potential relationships was based upon 'intelligence' provided by those within the sport.
The CADF report states that Ferrari attended the Vuelta a Cataluyna in March 2019 with the Astana team before meeting with Fuglsang and Lutsenko in Nice.
Further, Politiken says it has spoken to 12 people involved with the sport who claim to know Ferrari and Fuglsang have been working together. It has been further stated that one specific cyclist allegedly saw Fuglsang and Ferrari training together in Monoco, although said cyclist is not willing to come forward.
In 2019, Fuglsang had the best season of his career so far. He started the year by winning the Ruta del Sol in February, taking second at Strade Bianche and finishing third at Tirreno-Adriatico in March.
The Dane then had an incredible Ardennes Classics campaign in which he finished third in at Amstel Gold, second at Flèche Wallonne before winning Liège. The form continued to the end of the season with overall victory at the Critérium du Dauphiné, a stage of the Vuelta a Espana and fourth at Il Lombardia.
Dr Michele Ferrari is probably the most notorious doctor to have been involved with cycling. In 2012, he was given a lifetime ban from working with athletes after working with Lance Armstrong and the United States Postal team. Any athlete caught working with Ferrari faces a potential two-year ban.
Despite being banned, Ferrari denies ever doping an athlete.
Ferrari's links with Astana allegedly extend beyond Fuglsang and Lutsenko. The Italian doctor was widely rumoured to have worked with Astana team manager and 2012 Olympic Champion Alexandre Vinokourov, who served a two-year ban for blood doping in 2007.
Politiken has approached Fuglsang and Lutsenko for comment but all have decided not to comment after 'several days of dialogue' on a report based upon 'rumours'.
Astana issued their own response denying links to Ferrari writing 'The 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 authorized 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.'
Michele Ferrari has also offered statement denying the report.
Finally, after being contacted by Politiken about this report, the UCI issued a statement, writing: 'As of today, the UCI has not received a report from the CADF in order to initiate proceedings against the individuals and the team mentioned. Our Federation is following this case closely and will take the appropriate measures in the interests of cycling.'