CPA asks for protection of rider rights

In reaction to the conclusions of the "International conference on doping in cycling," which was held in Paris on October 22 and 23, and to the decisions and comments which follow, the CPA (Cyclistes Proffesionnels Associes) released a statement this week clarifying 'points' it hopes will be taken into consideration as the UCI and WADA implement any new doping initiatives.

The list of considerations starts with a request that "before the implementation of a 'Biological passport' and any new method of detection, all the scientific and legal guarantees of reliability are given and demonstrated to the cycling community before the implementation of sporting sanctions."

The statement, which seems to address concerns riders have in the way they are treated in the event of a positive doping test, also calls for the total confidentiality of all the riders' medical files, for the sport's governing body to not to reveal provisional results before knowing the final results of the B-samples in the event of infringement of the sport regulations, and to not to modify the rules during the season and avoid, as much as possible, to act hastily.

"To be in line with the UCI policy '100% against doping' and in a concern of avoiding any suspicion from the people involved at every level in cycling," the CPA said in the release, "we ask the UCI for implementing a code of professional integrity aiming at excluding any person who has been sentenced for doping during his sporting career, or has been found guilty in any affair linked to doping. The CPA is very attached to this egalitarian measure with regard to the riders and which, moreover, would establish new bases for healthy confidence and transparency."