Skip to main content
BBC SPORT / CYCLING
Graphics Version | BBC News Home
Sport Homepage | Football | World Cup 2010 | Formula 1 | Olympics | Vancouver 2010 | Cricket | Rugby Union | Rugby League | Tennis | Golf | Athletics | Cycling | Motorbikes | Boxing | Snooker | Horse Racing | Disability Sport | Other sport... | Sports Personality | TV/Radio Schedule | Sport Academy | Fun and Games | Inside Sport | Northern Ireland | Scotland | Wales
Cycling Contents:  Get Involved

Monday, 22 October 2007, 15:07 GMT 16:07 UK

Cyclists face rise in drugs tests

Cyclists The International Cycling Union will increase the number of anti-doping tests next year by more than 50%.

In-competition tests will total 8,000, while there will be 7,000 out-of-competition tests conducted.

The news comes after the announcement of plans for "anti-doping passports" for all professional riders next year.

Under the plan, blood and urine samples would be used to create a medical profile that could be compared to results of subsequent doping tests.

Cycling has been hit by several doping scandals in recent years, particularly in its blue riband event, the Tour de France.

"What this means is the rider becomes his own reference point," said Anne Gripper, the UCI's anti-doping chief.

"We look for variations to determine whether there may be use of a prohibited method or substance."

Gripper said the scheme would be the first of its type in any sport.

"What we're looking for is indirect evidence of the fact that cyclists may be doing something to increase the oxygen-carrying capacity of their blood either through blood doping or through small doses of EPO or something like that," she added.

World Anti-Doping Agency (Wada) president Dick Pound believes anti-doping passports will be in widespread use within three years, but not in time for next year's Beijing Olympics.

Plowman Craven Evans Cycles became the first UK team to introduce blood passports, when they launched their "Race Clean" initiative on the eve of this year's Tour of Britain.



E-mail this to a friend
Related to this story:

Di Luca given doping suspension (17 Oct 07 |  Cycling )
Landis in last-chance drugs plea (10 Oct 07 |  Cycling )

RELATED INTERNET LINKS:
Cycling on the BBC
International Cycling Union
British Cycling
2007 Road World Championships
Plowman Craven Evans Cycles
The BBC is not responsible for the content of external internet sites



SEARCH BBC SPORT: 

Sport Homepage | Football | World Cup 2010 | Formula 1 | Olympics | Vancouver 2010 | Cricket | Rugby Union | Rugby League | Tennis | Golf | Athletics | Cycling | Motorbikes | Boxing | Snooker | Horse Racing | Disability Sport | Other sport... | Sports Personality | TV/Radio Schedule | Sport Academy | Fun and Games | Inside Sport | Northern Ireland | Scotland | Wales
Cycling Contents:  Get Involved

^ Back to top | BBC News Home | BBC Homepage | Feedback | Help | ©