World cycling’s governing body, the UCI, has today revealed details of its anti-doping programme for the 2011 season, the main thrust of which will be increased controls of “riders whose [biological passport] profiles may indicate illegal behaviour.”
The approach to be adopted next year was approved in Paris yesterday by the UCI’s Foundation Board, chaired by Pat McQuaid, and the Funding Committee of the Cycling Anti-Doping Foundation (CADF), chaired by Daniel Baal respectively, met yesterday in Paris.
According to a statement from the UCI, it is focusing on riders with suspect profiles because it believes “It must be these riders who are the priority targets rather than riders with completely regular profiles who make up the majority of the peloton.”
The statement continues: “This improved targeting has been made possible by the biological passport. The very large number of controls conducted since the introduction of the biological passport (nearly 25,500) has allowed reliable profiles to be drawn up for the riders concerned.
“In terms of physiological data, the UCI thus now has a knowledge of these athletes that is without par in the world of sport. Moreover, top-performing athletes as well as newcomers to the peloton will be subject to improved targeting.”
As well as more focused targeting, the UCI is also determined to focus on stamping out doping at lower levels of the sport, saying that “sanctioning cheats is necessary, but it is even more essential to prevent young riders from resorting to illegal practices.”
The UCI explains that it will be providing “a substantial amount of information on this subject during 2011,” with the campaign being co-ordinated in partnership with national federations and “other relevant organisations.”
The governing body insists that its announcement of its plans for 2011 “represents a further step forward” in the fight against doping.
However, the sport is of course overshadowed at the moment by the uncertainty surrounding what sanction, if any, will be imposed on Tour de France winner Alberto Contador following his positive test for clenbuterol during this year’s race, and the ongoing investigation in the United States into doping in pro cycling, centred around Lance Armstrong and other former members of the US Postal Service team.
If he's not charging VAT yet then it would appear he's making well under 25 bikes per year currently. 8 full builds at 10-15k would send you over...
That looks like a fun bike. Frame only, 2 and an 1/2 grand.
Does this count as social media?
But down the line it can put a big dent in its resale value which ups leasing costs and the amount of cash an owner is throwing at their status...
Only reading the headline on the homepage, not the rest of the article, but I only ride mountain bikes and I still get close passed...
Fair enough, personal experience may trump (not that one) theory. However, the bonking I have experienced has been due to lack of carbs. Your point...
Agreed, but he was still right to publicise the event. The police, if they're anything like Lancashire, will do nothing at all.
mdavidfrodo?
in the UK we have policing which to a greater or lesser extent relies on assistance from members of the public......
Just wanted to share a quick thank you to everyone who helped out in this thread....