The International Cycling Union (UCI) announced that its Disciplinary Commission has issued its decision in two lawsuits filed against the Java-Kiwi Atlántico team (registered in 2024 as Kiwi Atlántico-Cabo de Peñas) and its representatives, Enrique Salgueiro (ESP) and Gerardo Guzmán (VEN).
The team is banned from any activities on the UCI international calendar until 2028
The team, which registered as a Venezuelan UCI Continental team in 2022, was sanctioned with a UCI registration ban as well as ineligibility to participate in events on the UCI international calendar until December 31, 2028.
The team’s general manager, Enrique Salgueiro, was sanctioned with a suspension from any cycling activity until December 31, 2028, in addition to a fine. The team’s representative, Gerardo Guzmán, was sanctioned with a suspension from any cycling activity until December 31, 2025.
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Serious irregularities in team management
The UCI referred the case to its Disciplinary Commission in July 2023, after the discovery of possible irregularities in the team’s management, including false representations and the production of false documents. The Disciplinary Committee found that the team and Enrique Salgueiro were responsible for two instances of fraud, in accordance with article 12.4.008 of the UCI Regulations.
The first relates to the unauthorized use of a UCI official’s signature on an official letter, and the second to the presentation to the Venezuelan Cycling Federation of a false cyclist’s contract that included a rider’s signature used without his authorization.
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Enrique Salgueiro also breached the principles of trust and integrity by intentionally submitting false information in the 2022 team registration process and during the disciplinary procedure, violating articles 12.2.001 and 12.4.017 of the UCI Regulations.
There was complicity in circumventing the UCI Regulations
As for Gerardo Guzman, the Disciplinary Commission found that he was complicit in the attempt to circumvent the UCI Regulations on the nationality of UCI continental teams by registering as a team representative as defined in article 2.17.010 of the UCI Regulations, without performing any of the duties inherent to a person in that position. Therefore, it was determined that Gerardo Guzman acted in violation of articles 12.2.001 and 12.4.017 of the UCI Regulations.