Deceuninck-Quick Step seeks to end speculation as UCI orders probe over what was taken from Remco Evenepoel’s pocket after Lombardia crash (+ video)

Deceuninck-Quick Step has sought to put an end to speculation over what one of its sports directors took from Remco Evenepoel’s pocket after the Belgian rider plunged over a bridge parapet at Il Lombardia two weeks ago, fracturing his pelvis. The team was responding to reports that the UCI has requested the Cycling Anti-Doping Foundation (CADF) to investigate the incident.

> Tour of Lombardy marred by a horror crash for Evenepoel plus a motorist left-hooking another rider

A video posted to Twitter earlier this week showed Davide Bramati retrieving the item from Evenepoel’s jersey pocket following the crash before medics arrived, with suggestions that something untoward was going on.

UCI wants to know what Bramati took out of Evenepoel's pocket after his #iLombardia crash and starts an investigation https://t.co/Pfip3phYeC pic.twitter.com/nwClxZlzNQ

— La Flamme Rouge (@laflammerouge16) August 28, 2020

Quoted in Het Nieuwsblad yesterday, UCI president David Lappartient said: “We've asked CADF to further investigate the television images and question witnesses about the object that came out of Evenepoel's pocket.”

He said that there were also concerns about remarks made by Bramati following the crash, who said he knew it had happened immediately because Evenepoel’s “data had stopped.”

Lappartient said: “The sports director said he thought Evenepoel had fallen as no more data was being sent.

“What data are we talking about then? After all, it is forbidden to send certain data,” he continued.

“So, we are also looking at that point. If it is only about geographical position then it's something else, but sharing other data is not allowed.”

La Gazzetta dello Sport reported earlier this week that Bramati had told the newspaper that he removed energy gels and a bar as well as a small bottle and a radio from the rider’s pockets because he was aware that Evenepoel would be put on a stretcher.

In a statement released this morning, Deceuninck-Quick Step said: “We would like to clarify that we have been contacted by CADF earlier this week to discuss the incident surrounding Remco Evenepoel’s crash at Il Lombardia earlier this month.

“As has already been stated publicly, the item that was captured being removed from Remco’s pockets was a small bottle containing nutrition products and was removed in order to help him to be placed more comfortably by medical staff on the stretcher. We have reiterated this to CADF and we will continue to cooperate with their enquires if needed.

“With regards to the transmission of data, we would also like to clarify that data such as live location is transmitted by the Velon device that was installed on bikes during Il Lombardia by Velon in partnership with the race organiser. The devices allow everyone, including the fans, to track and see rider data live in the race.

“We are confident that this will put an end to any further speculation surrounding the incident,” the statement concluded.