UCI bans team for fraud! Venezuelan Team Java - Kiwi Atlantico banned for 5 years after forging signatures

The International Cycling Union (UCI) has announced that its Disciplinary Commission has issued its decision in the disciplinary proceedings initiated against Team Java - Kiwi Atlántico (also known as Kiwi Atlántico - Cabo de Peñas) and its representatives Enrique Salgueiro (ESP) and Gerardo Guzmán (VEN).

The team, which was registered as a Venezuelan UCI Continental Team in 2022, has been sanctioned with a ban on registration with the UCI and ineligibility to participate in events on the UCI International Calendar until December 31, 2028. The team's general manager, Enrique Salgueiro, has been sanctioned with a suspension from any cycling activity until December 31, 2028, as well as a fine; and the team's representative, Gerardo Guzmán, has been sanctioned with a suspension from any cycling activity until December 31, 2025.

The UCI referred the case to its Disciplinary Commission in July 2023 following the discovery of possible irregularities in the management of the team, including false representations and the production of false documents.

The Disciplinary Commission found that the team and Enrique Salgueiro were responsible for two instances of fraud under article 12.4.008 of the UCI Regulations; the first related to the unauthorized use of the signature of a UCI official on an official letter, and the second to the submission to the Venezuelan Cycling Federation of a false rider contract that included the signature of a rider used without his authorization. In addition, it was determined that Enrique Salgueiro acted in contravention of the principles of trust and integrity by intentionally submitting false information in the 2022 team registration process, as well as during the proceedings before the Disciplinary Commission, in violation of articles 12.2.001 and 12.4.017 of the UCI Regulations.

As to Gerardo Guzman, the Disciplinary Commission found that he was complicit in circumventing the UCI Regulations on the nationality of UCI Continental Teams by registering as a team representative within the meaning of article 2.17.010 of the UCI Regulations, without performing any of the duties incumbent upon a person in that role. Therefore, it was determined that Gerardo Guzman acted in violation of articles 12.2.001 and 12.4.017 of the UCI Regulations.