Bicycle Racing News and Opinion,
Thursday, November 27, 2025
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Upcoming racing:
- December 14: World Cup Namur
- December 23: Superprestige Heusden-Zolder
- December 26: World Cup Gavere
- December 29: Trofee Loenhout-Azencross
- December 30: Superprestige Diegem
- January 1: GP Sven Nys
Latest completed racing:
- November 16: Trofee Hamme-Flandriencross
- November 1: Trofee Oudenaarde-Koppenbergcross
- October 26: Superprestige Overijse-Vlaamse Druivencross
- October 14 - 19: Tour of Guangxi
- October 14 - 19: Tour of Holland
- October 19: Veneto Classic
- October 19: Japan Cup
- October 19: Chrono des Nations
- October 15: Giro del Veneto
- October 12: Paris-Tours
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Here is a machine-translation of the story in the Monaco-Matin newspaper:
Fernando Gaviria, until recently a cyclist with [Team] Movistar, was given a two-month suspended prison sentence for driving under the influence of alcohol, committed in October, in broad daylight, with a significant blood alcohol level.
Coincidence or not, the timing of the transfer may seem surprising. After three difficult years with the Movistar team, professional cyclist Fernando Gaviria signed on Tuesday, November 25th, with a Spanish team [Caja Rural-Seguros RGA] competing at a lower level (ProTeam), outside the World Tour.
This is surprising, because at the very moment this announcement was made, the 31-year-old Colombian sprinter was appearing in court in Monaco for "CEA," the acronym for driving under the influence of alcohol, an offense committed a month earlier.
Cap in hand and sporting a full beard, the cyclist, a resident of Monaco, appeared in court without a lawyer to answer for the events of October 22, 2025.
Fernando Gaviria after stage 3 of the 2016 Tour of Provence. Sirotti photo
That day, while driving a car, he was stopped by officers from the Public Security Department at the Canton roundabout after dangerous driving and several traffic violations: failure to yield, crossing a solid line, driving the wrong way on a one-way street, etc.
"You were showing signs of intoxication, and the police measured a blood alcohol level of 1.18 mg/L of exhaled air, or approximately 2.40 grams per liter of blood," explained Florestan Bellinzona, the presiding judge. This is five times the legal limit of 0.25 mg/L of exhaled air.
"You're one or two drinks away from a coma. You're a public menace," the judge exclaimed. This was all the more true given that the incident occurred in broad daylight at 1:15 p.m.
Earlier that morning, the professional cyclist had indeed drunk several Moscow Mule cocktails while making phone calls before deciding to drive to get something to eat.
In court, the same old excuse was offered to the judges. "I slept for a few hours before going out. I felt like driving. In hindsight, yes, I didn't." “It was a mistake on my part, I won’t do it again,” he explained contritely, citing “work-related stress and family problems.”
Florestan Bellinzona pressed the point: “You’re in such a state that we’ll have to wait until midnight for you to be sober and fit enough to be taken into custody. Do you think this lifestyle is compatible with the life of a high-level athlete?” The man replied: “No, it isn’t. It’s not normal, I know that.”
Mathias Marchand, the first deputy public prosecutor, said he was “surprised” that such a profile, “among the elite of world cycling [7 stage wins in Grand Tours, in Italy and France, editor’s note]” – was being prosecuted for offenses committed at this hour with such a high blood alcohol level.
“It’s broad daylight with traffic, cyclists, motorists, and pedestrians crossing the road. This makes it a public hazard,” he warned, echoing the judge’s words.
He requested a two-month suspended sentence, a €5,000 fine, a two-year driving ban in the Principality, and the payment of three related fines totaling €45 each.
After deliberating, the court followed his recommendations in their entirety.
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Here’s the team’s announcement:
GreenEDGE Cycling is delighted to announce that Neil Stephens will return to the squad next season as a sport director for Team Jayco AlUla.
The Australian former professional racer was an original member of GreenEDGE Cycling’s staff when the team launched in 2012. He has played an integral part in some of its biggest successes, including the team’s first Monument victory at the 2012 Milan-Sanremo and its first Tour de France win in 2013.
Neil Stephens at the 2005 Giro d'Italia.
After several seasons working elsewhere in the WorldTour, Stephens’ return to the squad is an exciting one. The GreenEDGE Cycling management believe he will add yet more valuable experience and knowledge to the Team Jayco AlUla performance staff.
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Neil Stephens:
“To be able to come back to the team after seven years away, a team that I helped create many years ago, it’s exciting. I’m really looking forward to it and it just feels like a natural fit. I’m happy to be joining up with great colleagues that I’ve worked with before, some new people and getting back into that unique way of working at GreenEDGE Cycling.
"I have always felt it would be a nice idea to return to GreenEDGE at some point. Once the conversations started with Brent [Copeland – General Manager] and Gerry [Ryan – Team Owner], it seemed like the right moment to come back, and things quickly fit into place.
"I’m thankful to the teams I’ve been with, I’ve had some great experience, and it’s helped to shape me in my professional career. I’m looking forward to bringing my experiences back to the team as we fight for some major wins over the years to come. I’m excited to get started and being a part of that fighting spirit and bringing some of that Australian DNA.”
Gene Bates – Team Jayco AlUla Sporting Manager:
“It’s great to have Neil back on board with the team for next season. He was with the team at the very beginning and played a big part in growing the us into what we are today. He knows many of the staff and riders already as well as the culture of the team. He brings with him a wealth of experience from his years of working at the top level of the sport that will complement the established team of sport directors at Team Jayco AlUla. I look forward to working with him again as we aim to open a new chapter with the team.”
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