UCI Banned Coach Ladislav Demko for 10 Years
The ethics commission found the former team official guilty of psychological abuse and mistreatment of riders.
Updated on Sept. 18, 2026 in Cycling
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The UCI Ethics Commission has issued a 10-year ban against former Hess Cycling head of performance Ladislav Demko. The ruling follows investigations into professional misconduct, including psychological abuse and intimidation of dependent persons.
Why it matters
This disciplinary action reflects the UCI's commitment to enforcing its code of ethics regarding workplace safety and the protection of athletes. It underscores the severity of using aggressive language and manipulative tactics within professional cycling environments.
The UCI Ethics Commission handed down a 10-year ban to Ladislav Demko following the investigation of his conduct at Hess Cycling. The sanctions were determined based on violations of article 5 and article 6.4 of the UCI Code of Ethics.
The players
Ladislav Demko
He is the former head of performance for the Hess Cycling team who was banned for professional misconduct.
UCI Ethics Commission
This is the governing body responsible for investigating complaints and upholding ethical standards across professional cycling.
Hess Cycling
This organization was a professional cycling team that ceased its operations at the conclusion of the 2025 season.
The details
Investigators concluded that Demko engaged in patterns of humiliation, isolation, and intimidation toward a rider. The findings also highlighted a habitual reliance on disrespectful and aggressive language while he led the Hess Cycling performance team.
Timeline
Hess Cycling operated from 2023 through 2025.
Demko concluded his tenure with Hess Cycling at the end of the 2025 season.
The UCI announced the 10-year ban on September 18, 2026.
Season Trajectory
This disciplinary outcome highlights the sport's ongoing efforts to modernize its internal oversight mechanisms through the SpeakUp platform. It marks a departure from historical handling of team-level personnel issues by bringing confidential complaints into the formal review process.
This ruling effectively removes Demko from all organized cycling activities, preventing him from coaching or holding official team roles for the next decade. The case reinforces the validity of the UCI SpeakUp platform for athletes seeking to report misconduct.
The takeaway
The case demonstrates that professional teams are increasingly held accountable for the psychological well-being of their athletes. Riders should utilize established confidential reporting channels whenever they experience harassment or intimidation.
Further reading
For more on the current disciplinary standards in the sport, explore our coverage in Cycling.
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