Cynisca Cycling

Lauren Stephens

Emilie Fortin

Fiona Mangan

Chloe Patrick

Allison Mrugal

Pauline Allin

Ashley Frye

Greta Richioud

Cara O'Neill

Chloé Fourmigué Villacampa

Claire Windsor

Katherine Sarkisov

Mara Roldan

Nicole Steinmetz

Tess Edwards

Gabrielle Lehnert

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A mechanic masquerading as a rider: UCI punishes bizarre case of 'fraud'

A bizarre story has emerged from the world of pro cycling, with the 

 team sanctioned for fraud over an incident that involved a mechanic masquerading as a rider.

In July 2023, the American Continental-level women’s team were short of riders for the 

, with only four fit to start – one short of the UCI minimum for a team to take part.

, the UCI detailed how the team attempted to mislead race officials, which has led to punishment for riders, staff, and the team as a whole.

In the absence of that fifth rider, the team dressed up a mechanic in team kit, covered her face with a mask on the pretence that she was sick, and sent her to the podium for sign-on. They were found out and didn’t start the race, with the case referred to the governing body’s Disciplinary Commission.

“The team’s Sports Director, Danny Van Haute, instructed the riders present (Anna Hicks, Cara O’Neil, Katherine Sarkisov and Claire Windsor) to lie about the whereabouts of a fifth rider – who was not physically present at the venue – when questioned by the Commissaires,” reads the UCI’s statement.

“The riders stated to the President of the Commissaires’ Panel that a fifth rider was present but ill. Then, upon being informed by the Commissaires that the team could not participate if all five riders did not sign the start sheet and take the start, Mr Van Haute instructed the team mechanic, Moira Barrett, to wear a rider’s clothes and a face mask, to present herself at the start and sign the start sheet as the team’s fifth rider.”

Cynisca responded to the ruling on Monday afternoon, apologising for the incident whilst describing it as a "one-time mistake by a rogue director". They also confirmed that they are no longer working with Van Haute, who was hired on a contract basis for a number of races in 2023.

"At the time of the event, other team management/staff were unaware of the deception carried out by Mr. Van Haute and the mechanic. Upon learning of the incident, the team took immediate actions internally and terminated all current and future relationships with Mr. Van Haute and the mechanic. The team then fully cooperated with the UCI investigation," their statement read. 

"Cynisca Cycling completely understands the need for disciplinary action taken by the UCI. The team did not and will never condone this sort of behaviour. This was a one-time mistake by a rogue director.

"We thank the UCI Disciplinary Commission for their careful consideration of the actions. On behalf of the team, we once again apologise to the event organisers for the behaviour that occurred at the event."

Whilst Cynisca have the option of appealing the ruling at the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS), their statement supported the UCI's version of events, and did not suggest that they disagreed with the outcome of the investigation.

Citing article 12.4.008 of the UCI’s regulations, which covers ‘fraud’, the various team members were handed differing sanctions on Monday. Van Haute, described as “the main perpetrator” has been banned from any activity in cycling until 31 December 2025 and handed a fine. Meanwhile, the mechanic, Barrett, will be unable to work in cycling until 1 September 2024.

As for the riders, all four were handed a ‘reprimand’, which is a “formal expression of disapproval”, rather than a fine or a band.

The team as a whole was handed a one-race ban, although it’s not clear which was the next race on Cynisca’s schedule that they’ll now be forced to miss.

The teams of the 2024 American professional peloton

With North American cycling in a sea change, every year fewer teams seem to be built in the mould of European road racing. Yet there are teams which remain and they continue to offer opportunities for American cyclists to forge careers racing in the United States and hold out hope for a revival, whether it is through road, criterium or gravel racing. 

To shine some like on those teams, we have compiled a list of several of the top-established squads and professional teams that are keeping that hope alive in the United States into one guide. This is not a definitive list of all the teams that offer racing opportunities for Americans, but they are teams that stand out in different ways.  

The complete 2024 USA gravel race calendar

Project Echelon Racing – UCI Continental

 UCI road racing, gravel racing, criteriums

Human Powered Health’s loss seems to be 

’s gain as the team now seems to hold the title of the top US professional squad. The team has been steadily growing since their beginning as the competitive off-shoot of a non-profit initiative that works with rehabilitating military veterans through cycling.

Now with a line-up reinforced with strong riders from other top US teams like Human Powered Health, L39ion and Aevolo, the team seems set to have their biggest season yet. Compared to the rest of the men’s teams on this list, Project Echelon is distinctive as they have declared their intention to focus on road races and gravel races instead of a full criterium calendar.

Team Skyline Cadence Pro Cycling – UCI Continental

Team Skyline Cadence Pro Cycling is the lowest-profile Continental team in the United States. The team has been a UCI-registered team since 2019 but has not had a significant win on the domestic scene. Skyline has sporadically raced internationally since they elevated to the Continental level, but domestically Skyline has not been one of the top teams.

That could change in 2024, as the team signed former U23 National Criterium Champion Liam Flanagan and a Tour of the Gila stage winner Alex Hoehn, two riders who have shown results that Skyline has not reached before.

Virginia Blue Ridge Twenty24 – UCI Continental

 is a long-standing domestic race team built around rider development. With the likes of Kristen Armstrong and Chloé Dygert both coming through the program, the results speak for themselves. The professional team is only one part of the larger program which also maintains a junior and U23 program to give promising young women in the United States a clear pathway to the top end of professional cycling.

This season, the team is once again filled with strong riders from around North America, including former US road champion Emma Langley who is returning from an injury-riddled season in 2023. The former EF Education-TIBCO-SVB rider will be back racing predominantly in the United States this season and will be joined by a small but strong group of women, including the four-time world champion on the track, Jennifer Valente.

Cynisca Cycling – UCI Women’s Continental

 is the newcomer to the domestic professional line-up, beginning in 2023 and immediately making an impression with strong racing performances in a diverse racing calendar that included both domestic and international racing. In 2024, that success should continue and is likely to expand into the gravel scene as well.

Last year the team dipped their toe into the gravel discipline with Anna Hicks taking a podium spot for the team at the Big Sugar Classic. While Hicks has left the team for a spot on the Denver Disruptors, Lauren Stephens comes to the team with road racing and gravel experience. Furthermore, the veteran American will be racing the Life Time Grand Prix and is likely to mix in other gravel races as well as a road calendar including races like the Joe Martin Stage Race, the Redlands Bicycle Classic and the Tour of the Gila.

DNA Pro Cycling – UCI Women’s Continental

DNA Pro Cycling is a women’s UCI Continental team that races throughout North America, South America and internationally in road races and criteriums. DNA Pro Cycling is one of the longest-standing pro teams in the United States, having started as an elite team from the Dallas area and has blossomed into one of the top women’s teams in the North American cycling scene.

Along with strong US and Canadian riders like sprinter Olivia Cummins and all-rounder ​​Sarah van Dam, the team has the current Colombian road race champion Diana Peñuela in their line-up. The mix of youth and experience should see the team continue to be one of the big forces in American racing this year.

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Name	Age	UCI Career Wins	UCI Points
Lauren Stephens	37	21	768
Emilie Fortin	24	1	58
Fiona Mangan	27	0	42
Chloe Patrick	19	1	18
Allison Mrugal	27	0	16

Cynisca Cycling

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A mechanic masquerading as a rider: UCI punishes bizarre case of 'fraud'

The teams of the 2024 American professional peloton

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