TotalEnergies boss ‘powerless’ as Geniez appeals domestic violence verdict

LLEX MONTSJURA FRANCE JULY 31 Alexandre Geniez of France and Team Total Direct Energie attacks during the 33rd Tour de lAin 2021 Stage 3 a 125km stage from Izernore to Llex MontsJura 900m tourdelain on July 31 2021 in Llex MontsJura France Photo by Luc ClaessenGetty Images
(Image credit: Luc Claessen/Getty Images)

Team TotalEnergies have defended their lack of action amid Alexandre Geniez’s domestic violence case, with team boss Jean-René Bernaudeau telling Cyclingnews in an exclusive interview he remains “powerless” while his rider appeals the verdict. 

Geniez was found guilty in court last week and was handed a four-month suspended prison sentence, but Bernaudeau stated that the fact he is appealing means the verdict is effectively ‘annulled’ or ‘postponed’. 

Patrick Fletcher

Patrick is a freelance sports writer and editor. He’s an NCTJ-accredited journalist with a bachelor’s degree in modern languages (French and Spanish). Patrick worked full-time at Cyclingnews for eight years between 2015 and 2023, latterly as Deputy Editor.