Cycling Pro Road & Mtb

Kazakhstan Cycling Federation will take legal steps to former general manager of Astana Cycling Team

Details

Parent Category: Cycling Pro Road & Mtb

Category: News Cycling Pro Road & Mtb 2011

Published on Monday, 24 January 2011 17:25

Written by Luca Salvatelli

Kazakhstan Cycling Federation strongly rejects claims of the former General Manager of Astana Cycling Team Yvon Sanquer, published by him in the media.

Yvon Sanquer was invited to be a General Manager of “Astana” Cycling Team in November 2009. “Astana” has concluded the contract with a new manager for two seasons 2010-2011 and Mr. Sanquer started working in January 2010. However, during the season, leaders of Kazakh Federation have repeatedly noted management shortcomings of the General Manager.

The equipment and sporting stock bought by the general manager didn’t correspond to the level of the team. Among other things, Mr. Sanquer did not inform immediately Kazakhstan Cycling Federation regarding the negative result of the doping test of Alberto Contador once he found it out the Federation was expecting a detailed report in writing by the General Manager instead of learning the facts initially only from the media.

Besides, Mr. Sanquer was unable to get in contact with the team. Conflicts between the General Manager on the one side and riders, team management and staff, on the other side, occurred throughout 2010 season; consequently, the team sent a letter, stating impossibility of further work with Mr. Sanquer to the Federation. It should be noted that Mr Sanquer actually failed to perform managing Astana immediately after the end of Tour de France 2010; meanwhile getting wages until the end of 2010 season.

In December 2010, in order to reinforce management efficiency, Kazakh Federation conducted optimization of staff schedule of Astana Cycling Team. In the new staff schedule, position of the General Manager is not indicated - commercial, economic issues and cooperation with sponsors, commercial director is being involved (Aidar Makhmetov), and sports matters - Team Manager (Giuseppe Martinelli).

Taking into account the shortcomings of the General Manager and at the same time, wishing to resolve this situation by serving interests of both parties, Federation management have repeatedly suggested to Mr. Sanquer alternative choices, including position of an adviser to the President of Kazakhstan Cycling Federation. In December 2010 he was sent a draft of a new employment contract, but up to mid-January, Mr. Sanquer intentionally did not give any comments regarding new contract terms. Thus, Kazakhstan Cycling Federation considers these actions made by Mr. Sanquer, as inconsistent with ethics of General Manager of a high level sports team. In this situation Federation intends to resolve all controversial issues on the legal framework and does not rule out possibility of laying legal action.

Press release