The French Anti-Doping Agency (AFLD) has been hard at work with scientists again, and claims that it will have a test for a previously undetectable banned substance in the near future.
“A method and a product that doping cyclists believe cannot be detected will be monitored on the next Tour de France,” said Pierre Bordry, the President of the AFLD.
Bordry declined to give details on the method or the product, only to say that it would be used with samples taken in the upcoming Tour de France.
In case the test isn’t ready in time for the worlds biggest bike race, the President of the International Cycling Union (UCI), Pat McQuaid, has authorized the AFLD to retain samples taken during the rac for future analysis.
The last couple of Tours de France have been riddled with doping scandals. Because of the bad press the race has received, the Amaury Sports Organization (ASO) has taken a hard line as the race organizers by going on the offensive. Last year the ASO began filtering out any riders with current or past doping cases, and took the unprecedented action of retroactively testing samples taken during the race.
The results of their new stance have been given mixed reviews. With respect to the retroactive testing for CERA, the newest form of EPO, the organization has had a standing ovation. But with respect to rider exclusion, Tom Boonen will be in court this Thursday to fight being excluded from the race two years in a row because of a third out of competition positive test for cocaine.