Arnaud Démare accused by riders of taking a tow from team car in Milan-San Remo
Matteo Tosatto and Eros Capecchi allege that they saw Milan-San Remo winner Arnaud Démare hanging on to team car up the Cipressa climb - Démare deinies any wrongdoing - Démare's Strava file from race shows he ascended Cipressa faster than everyone else who uploaded files
- (opens in new tab)
- (opens in new tab)
- (opens in new tab)
- Sign up to our newsletter Newsletter


Two riders have separately alleged that Milan-San Remo winner Arnaud Démare took a tow from an FDJ team car up the Cipressa climb during Saturday's race.
In a report published by Italian newspaper Gazzetta dello Sport, Matteo Tosatto (Tinkoff) and Eros Capecchi (Astana) both allege that Démare came past them on the Cipressa climb, appearing to either be holding on to the car or a bottle being held out of its window.
According to Gazzetta, president of the race jury Hervé Brocque has been made aware of the allegations, but no photographic or video evidence has been produced to confirm them.
Démare told French paper L'Equipe that he had done nothing wrong, saying: "There are referees in cycling. If I had done something forbidden, I would have been disqualified."
Démare was one of a number of riders caught up in a crash just before the Cipressa, which appears around 20km before the finish line. Several riders were forced to chase back up to the peloton, including Démare, Michael Matthews (Orica-GreenEdge) and Peter Kennaugh (Sky).
Démare has uploaded his winning Milan-San Remo ride to his Strava account, which shows that he ascended the Cipressa at a quick pace, taking the Strava KOM for the segment.
It shows that Démare rode the climb quicker than everyone else who uploaded files from the race, including those in the peloton. This is not evidence of any wrongdoing.
Démare's stats on the Poggio climb just before the finish also put him in the top 10 Strava times for this ascent.
If the allegations are found to have any foundation, getting a tow from a team car is an offence that carries a stiff penalty, as Vincenzo Nibali (Astana) found out during the 2015 Vuelta a España. The Italian hung on to the team car on stage two as he tried to ride back up to the peloton after a crash, and was captured by television cameras doing so. He was subsequently disqualified from the race.
Thank you for reading 5 articles this month* Join now for unlimited access
Enjoy your first month for just £1 / $1 / €1
*Read 5 free articles per month without a subscription
Join now for unlimited access
Try first month for just £1 / $1 / €1

Nigel Wynn worked as associate editor on CyclingWeekly.com, he worked almost single-handedly on the Cycling Weekly website in its early days. His passion for cycling, his writing and his creativity, as well as his hard work and dedication, were the original driving force behind the website’s success. Without him, CyclingWeekly.com would certainly not exist on the size and scale that it enjoys today. Nigel sadly passed away, following a brave battle with a cancer-related illness, in 2018. He was a highly valued colleague, and more importantly, n exceptional person to work with - his presence is sorely missed.
-
-
Tech of the Month August: Magnesium bikes, wheels and pedals; new Vittoria tyres and Enve's Melee road bike
Are magnesium alloys really the wonder material they're cracked up to be?
By Stefan Abram • Published
-
Commonwealth Games 2022: Aaron Gate wins the men's road race for New Zealand in a dramatic sprint finish
New Zealander lands a fourth gold medal at the games after beating Daryl Impey of South Africa
By Tom Thewlis • Published
-
Tadej Pogačar will race at Milan-San Remo despite feeling sick: 'That won’t hold me back on Saturday'
The Slovenian isn't feeling "100 per cent" but doesn't expect this to negatively impact his race
By Ryan Dabbs • Published
-
Caleb Ewan latest rider to withdraw from Milan-San Remo with illness
The Australian has picked up a stomach flu, joining Jasper Stuyven, Julian Alaphilippe and Sonny Colbrelli on the sick bed
By Ryan Dabbs • Published
-
How to watch Milan-San Remo 2022: Live stream the first Monument of the season
Don’t miss a moment of the action of the Italian Monument
By Ryan Dabbs • Published
-
Filippo Ganna to be given opportunities at Milan-San Remo and Paris-Roubaix this year
Italian rouleur says he wants to prove he is more than "just" a time triallist and track specialist
By Adam Becket • Published
-
Thibaut Pinot will tackle the Tour de France once more in 2022
Frenchman aims for podium again eight years after he last achieved the feat, will be joined by David Gaudu and Michael Storer
By Adam Becket • Published
-