Page clears a hurdle

American Jonathan Page has been cleared of a doping violation by the United States Anti-Doping Agency, the agency reported this week. Page was notified last month that he had missed a doping control at the Koksijde World Cup – a race he abandoned after crashing. Page explained last month that he had sought medical assistance after the crash and was unaware he had been called for a random control.

"USADA announced today the unanimous decision by a three-member panel from the American Arbitration Association (AAA)/North American Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) that cyclo-cross athlete Jonathan Page, of Northfield, NH, did not commit an anti-doping rule violation," the press release read.

Arbitrators heard evidence that Page was " not contacted by a chaperone concerning his need to present a sample and did not see the posting of his name" along with details of his crash. They unanimously decided "that there was compelling justification for Page's failure to report to the doping control station following the race".

Page was given an expedited hearing by the anti-doping agency so that his case could be resolved before the World Cyclo-cross Championships in Hoogerheide, The Netherlands, next week. The move clears him to race, but the UCI can still appeal the decision.

USA Cycling announced its roster for the World Championships last week, naming four out of five potential starters in the men's field. It has not yet been announced if Page will be added to the team in the fifth roster position. The deadline for entering riders is January 30.