Tensions at Andorran Cycling Federation camp over transparency and conflicts of interest

The weekend technical camp in Cambrils, convened by the Andorran Cycling Federation (FAC), did not ease tensions that have surfaced in recent weeks. Although the federation presented the gathering as an environment of “good atmosphere,” “professionalism” and “joint work,” participants’ accounts differed sharply.

A public statement defending the board led by Carolina Poussier was circulated by rider Adrià Regada, who is part of the Caja Rural development team. Regada said the recent reporting “does not reflect” the group’s reality and praised the new board’s work, particularly in promoting grassroots cycling. The statement, however, was signed by only five of the roughly twenty riders present — Óscar Cabanes, Xavi Jové, Roger Turné, Oriol Pi and Regada — and those signatories are reported to have close ties to members of the federation’s leadership.

Several other riders at the camp either declined to join the communiqué or said they were not consulted, including the women athletes who receive federation technical support. A cyclists’ representative noted that about ten of the twenty participants are from the youth base, many underage and with limited federation experience, which further limits the document’s representativeness.

The FAC posted optimistic images on its social channels, saying the good atmosphere had allowed technical work to progress smoothly. By contrast, multiple riders described moments of tension and internal debate over the federation’s management. It is also notable that riders — rather than the board itself — issued the public defence, after Altaveu reported it had received no institutional response from the presidency when contacted.

New questions have emerged alongside the camp, fuelling discontent within parts of the cycling community. Sources raised concerns that Martí Cerdà, responsible for the women’s section and grassroots sport, has been running introductory cycling activities at primary schools in Encamp through a private company. The initiative is not linked to any club or cycling school, prompting doubts about compatibility with his federation role and the criteria for awarding a paid task while some clubs maintain training structures.