Do you have a calendar item, brief or newstip?
Please contact us.
Bike race gets tough on doping
Tour of California to have unprecedented testing
The Amgen Tour of California, which begins Feb. 17 at Stanford University, will have what organizers call the most comprehensive anti-doping protocol in cycling history.The groundbreaking initiative, developed by AEG Sports; the Union Cycliste Internationale (UCI), cycling's global governing body; and the United States Anti-Doping Agency (USADA) stipulates that riders have blood samples collected prior to the race. All of the blood samples will be tested for indications of blood manipulation and 30 percent of riders will have urine samples collected before the race. Urine samples will be analyzed for the presence of banned substances such as steroids, hormones (including EPO) and masking agents.
Results of the blood tests will be incorporated into the UCI's Biological Passport program. The Biological Passport is an individual electronic record for each rider, in which the results of all doping tests over a period of time are collated. Every day, the stage winner, current leader of the general classification and three other riders will be fully tested. There will be random or targeted testing each day for three other riders during evenings and mornings.
No rider has ever failed a drug test at the Tour of California. The demanding 650-mile, eight-day stage race from Palo Alto to Pasadena concludes Feb. 24 and will feature 17 of the world's top pro teams. Last year's race drew more than 1.6 million spectators, the most ever for a cycling event in the U.S.
UCI President Pat McQuaid said he was delighted to see the Amgen Tour of California organizers enthusiastically striving for a clean race by working so closely with the UCI and USADA. He indicated that their organization of pre-event and in-competition testing in close collaboration with the UCI and USADA was a model arrangement between international sport federations, event organizers and national bodies.
"UCI is absolutely committed to eliminating doping from our sport and we are pleased to partner with such a determined organizer to protect the integrity of cycling in the USA," McQuaid said.
EVENT AT A GLANCE
22 days until the race
Cycling's most important U.S. road race
17 of the world's top pro teams
650 miles in 8 days
Begins Feb. 17 with a time trial through the streets of downtown Palo Alto and onto Palm Drive and the Oval at Stanford University
Ends Feb. 24 in Pasadena
TV: Versus
More info: www.amgentourofcalifornia.com
Please note by clicking on "Post Comment" you acknowledge that you have read the Terms of Service and the comment you are posting is in compliance with such terms. Be polite. Inappropriate posts may be removed by the moderator. Send us your feedback.
7 comments in
City plans to fix torn-up skate park
“If you don't skate you don't relate. Plastic parks that hurt less? You have no idea w...” — Wally
1 comment in
Problem in Berkeley is Vampires
“That work in the city offices.” — Defendant of Democracy
3 comments in
U-Haul open months after Berkeley order
“exactly, Berkeley is Full of Vampires that Pretend to be Democrats” — Defendant of Democracy
3 comments in
“Carpoll lane is designated lane and only in specified hours, so You will get a ticket i...” — Defendant of Democracy
Comment on this story