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Belgian cyclist Dries de Bondt is facing scrutiny and perhaps severe punishment after admitting to violating the rules of the sport during the 20th stage of the recent Giro d’Italia. The penultimate stage ended up deciding the race, as eventual winner Simon Yates surpassed leader Isaac Del Toro and second-placed Richard Carapaz to take the lead and the race victory.
So, where does De Bondt factor in? The 33-year-old Belgian, who currently races for French team Decatholon AG2R, is out of contract at the end of the 2025 season. Now it appears that he might have used his contract situation in an attempt to improperly aid Carapaz, who races for American team EF Education First-EasyPost.
Belgian Cyclist Says He Helped Rival Team At Giro D’Italia In Exchange For Contract
“That’s why I’ve told several teams that I’m open to a conversation, to talk about a contract,” De Bondt told Belgian outlet Wielerflits. “I had done the same with (EF coach) Ken Vanmarcke. ‘If you’re still looking for riders before 2026, I’m at the market,’ I said.
“For the team performance of the twentieth stage, Vanmarcke came back to me. He said, ‘Are you planning something today? For us it will be very difficult to send riders in the early flight. But look: if you are with you and you can play a role that is important in the end result of the Giro, then something serious can stick to it.’ That inspired me to do what I did for Carapaz.”
De Bondt went into the breakaway early on the stage. Del Toro’s team, UAE Team Emirates, did not mark him because he was neither a Yates nor Carapaz. But when the race eventually caught the breakaway, De Bondt began to ride quickly in front of Carapaz, giving him a draft.
Ultimately, the move was not decisive. Yates was too fast for both Del Toro and Carapaz up the legendary Colle de Finestre. But the move by De Bondt, which he shockingly admitted, violated the UCI rule banning collusion.
https://t.co/bE1fiDcSL3 pic.twitter.com/KzmyI7S8YK
— Luc Grefte (@LucGrefte) June 5, 2025
“This is such a ridiculous way to cheat,” Luc Grefte, a producer for Lanterne Rouge Media wrote. “DS is basically admitting they wouldn’t be able to make the break under normal circumstances because UAE would usually mark them. But by putting a rider in a different kit, they can sneak someone in the break unnoticed.”
“Why is De Bondt openly admitting to collusion? It was pretty obvious while it was happening but why would he just admit it?” asked another fan.
Ultimately, only time will tell whether De Bondt faces any punishment. He may well be saved by the fact that his move ended up failing. But openly admitting that you cheated in search of a future contract is a bold move, and the UCI might well have its say.