Confirming the addition of several new teams as members, the MPCC (Movement for a Credible Cycling) has called on teams, WADA, the UCI and the race organisers to step up the anti-doping fight by reinforcing its existing regulations and also implementing new measures.
The organisation, which was founded in 2007 in order to provide a voluntary commitment for certain teams to tougher anti-doping legislation than was then in place under the UCI and WADA, has said that the USADA investigation into Lance Armstrong and his former teams makes clear the need for action.
“It is indispensable that the managers, the teams and their sponsors make strong and credible decisions within the framework of the anti-doping fight, to give a strong image in front of this plague,” the MPCC urges in a statement circulated today.
In that communication, it lists the current requirements from its eleven member teams. These are to:
- No longer allow a rider race when he has an initial positive test.
- Do not sign up a rider who has a suspension of more than six months [with the exception of whereabouts cases] for two years after the suspension.
- Don’t give corticoid injections without imposing a break from competition of eight days.
- Carry out internal procedures from the first positive case on a team.
- The team should suspend itself automatically following several positive cases in a twelve month period.
The MPCC previously numbered seven teams, namely Ag2r La Mondiale, Bretagne- Schuller, Cofidis Crédit Par Téléphone, Europcar, FDJ - Big Mat, Garmin – Sharp and Argos Shimano.
Four others have now signed up, namely the new Swiss IAM setup, Lotto Belisol, Netapp and Sojasun. Of those eleven, Ag2r La Mondiale, , FDJ-BigMat, Garmin-Sharp and Lotto Belisol are WorldTour level, with the others being Pro Continental.
It means there are fourteen other WorldTour teams who have essentially opted for a less stringent stance on doping, something that the MPCC hope will change.
Proposals:
The organisation has stated that it will make several proposals going forward. It asks WADA to increase the sanctions for first-time violations, to introduce stricter regulations on the use of corticoids, and to forbid any riders who have been suspended for more than six months from competing in the world championships or the Olympic Games.
It also requests the UCI to recognise it ‘as an element within the framework of the anti-doping fight,’ while it wants the race organisers to establish a mechanism whereby they will not conduct business with teams which do not respect the elementary rules of ethics.
It is clear that more needs to be done. “As cycling is in a real search for credibility, in front of its sponsors, in front of the press and in front of the public, it is important that the largest number of teams show their determination to fight against the doping, and to support its image,” it states.
“The managers and the sponsors of the professional teams have the duty and the power to say no to doping. The MPCC gives the opportunity to all to show clearly their will to restore confidence by adhering, without reservations, to our movement.”
MPCC member teams:
AG2R La Mondiale *
Argos Shimano
Bretagne Schuller
Cofidis
Europcar
Française Des Jeux *
Garmin Sharp *
Iam
Lotto Belisol *
Netapp
Sojasun
* WorldTour teams