Decision on AFLD request to conduct tests due tomorrow
With less than two weeks to go until the start of the Tour de France, the UCI and WADA jointly announced today that they had signed an agreement in relation to the drug testing at the race.
The agreement was signed on Monday and followed a request by the UCI last October that WADA provide observers in order to ensure the transparency of the UCI’s fight against doping in the Tour.
According to the joint press release, the observers will watch all phases of the anti-doping controls conducted by the UCI, ranging from the selection of riders to be tested to the management of the results of the analyses conducted. They will also have access to all related documentation.
A WADA report will be drawn up and published after the event.
WADA President John Fahey said that the measure would help show that the testing process was impartial. “The presence of Independent Observers at major sporting events contributes to strengthen the protection provided to clean athletes and to enhance their confidence, as well as the public’s confidence, in the doping control and results management processes,” he stated.
“Independent Observers conduct their mission in a neutral and unbiased manner and subsequently publish a report with their observations. We thank UCI for inviting Independent Observers at the Tour de France.”
The UCI was criticised last year by the AFLD, the French national anti-doping agency, which was its partner on the 2009 race. It listed what it said were a series of errors made by the UCI, including an alleged bias towards the Astana team of seven-time Tour de France winner Lance Armstrong and the rider who went on to win the race, Alberto Contador.
Amongst the issued raised was a claim that the UCI had not carried out early-morning tests on the team until nearly an hour after the doping control officer arrived. The UCI inspector sat and had coffee with the team, which had claimed to him that he had arrived too early to wake the riders.
This essentially made the analysis useless, as sufficient manipulation can be done in that time to avoid any positive results.
The allegation of bias was a serious one, particularly in the light of Floyd Landis’ recent claim that the UCI accepted a bribe in 2001 to cover up a positive test by Armstrong. The governing body rejects that money was paid, or that Armstrong did fail a test for EPO.
The AFLD has applied to WADA for permission to conduct its own additional tests during the Tour. This is permissible under WADA regulations, but the World Anti Doping Agency needs to approve the request.
This afternoon, a WADA spokesman confirmed to VeloNation that a decision on that will be announced tomorrow.
UCI President Pat McQuaid has welcomed the agreement relating to independent observers. “Without doubt the UCI is one of the most active and most effective International Federations in terms of the fight against doping, in particular with the introduction of the biological passport. I asked WADA to send independent observers to the 2010 Tour de France so that our activities can be submitted to their impartial examination.
“I would like to thank WADA for having accepted this request. I look forward to hearing their conclusions with every confidence as the UCI works very strictly within the standards drawn up by WADA.”
VeloNation will report the AFLD decision when it is issued tomorrow.