French cycling’s rising star, Lenny Martinez, has decided to  break his silence  following the controversial sanction imposed by the International Cycling Union (UCI) during the 2025 Tour de France. Penalized by 8 points in the best climber classification for allegedly using the “glued bottle” technique on the Col du Glandon, Martinez’s total points have dropped from 80 to 72, relegating him to third place behind Tadej Pogačar (105 points) and Jonas Vingegaard. This decision plunged the Bahrain Victorious rider into enforced silence, but he has now countered with a shocking statement.

In a poignant statement, Martinez proclaimed his innocence and called on the UCI to review its investigation: “I am devastated by this unfair sanction. I never cheated. My efforts at this Tour were to honor my country and my fans.” He called for full transparency and a review of the evidence, denouncing a lack of clarity in the decision-making process. The case has inflamed social media, where the hashtags #JusticeForLenny and #UCIFail are gaining popularity, with fans accusing the UCI of bias.

The sanction, accompanied by a fine of 200 Swiss francs, 15 UCI points deducted, and a 10-second overall penalty, comes at a tense time. Martinez, who wore the polka-dot jersey earlier in the race, is losing ground to Pogačar, the favorite for the yellow jersey and now leader of the mountains classification. This controversy raises questions about the UCI’s methods and could mark a turning point in the handling of sanctions at the Tour.

Keywords : Lenny Martinez, Tour de France 2025, UCI sanction, bottle stuck, climbers classification, Tadej Pogačar, Jonas Vingegaard, cycling controversy.