The Union Cycliste Internationale (UCI) takes note of the decision of the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) to impose a life ban on Mr Johan Bruyneel and Dr Pedro Celaya, and a 15-year period of ineligibility on Mr José Martí for their anti-doping rules violations during their time with the US Postal Services Pro Cycling Team and Discovery Channel team.

The CAS decision moves towards stiffer sanctions requested by the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA), which in 2014 appealed the decision of the American Arbitration Association North American Court of Arbitration for Sport (AAA) concerning members of Mr Lance Armstrong’s entourage, Mr Armstrong himself sanctioned with a lifetime ban in 2012.

From the outset, the UCI was supportive of WADA’s appeal and offered its full cooperation, notably by contributing to the costs arising from the procedure.

Mr Bruyneel and Dr Celaya are now banned for life from carrying out any activity connected to cycling. Meanwhile, Mr Martí’s period of ineligibility runs through until 2027.