Support road.cc

Like this site? Help us to make it better.

news

UCI makes changes to No Needles Policy

Window between glucocorticosteroid injection and competing increased to eight days; rules relaxed for vaccinations

The UCI has announced a tightening of its No Needles Policy, extending the period in which a cyclist cannot compete after receiving an injection of glucocorticosteroids from two to eight days.

The change to the No Needles Policy, originally introduced to the governing body’s medical regulations in 2011, was approved by a meeting of the UCI’s Management Committee during the World Cyclo-cross Championships in Louisville, Kentucky earlier this month.

Glucocorticosteroids are anti-inflammatory steroid hormones naturally produced in the body through the adrenal glands, and can be used as anti-inflammatories to treat conditions including asthma and allergies, as well as in autoimmune disorders.

While research has suggested that in large doses they can cause cardiac ouput to increase, among other effects, their inclusion on the World Anti-Doping Agency’s Prohibited List results from potentially harmful side effects including feelings of euphoria which can prevent an athlete from feeling the pain from an injury.

Besides injections, glucocorticosteroids can be taken in tablet form, banned in competition unless the athlete has a Therapeutic Use Exemption, while they are permitted to be used topically as a cream to treat conditions such as rashes or haemorrhoids.

UCI President Pat McQuaid explained: “I requested the UCI Medical Commission to consider an extension of this period.

“A rider who raced at the weekend could receive an injection of glucocorticosteroids and be racing again in a mid-week competition.

“Glucocorticosteroids are used to treat inflammations, so a rider requiring this treatment should not be racing within eight days. He or she should be attending his/her condition and resting.”

The UCI says that the regulations are in force for all licensed riders at all times.

It added that one area of the No Needle Policy had been relaxed, with riders no longer required to report injections performed for the purpose of vaccination, such as against the flu.

Simon joined road.cc as news editor in 2009 and is now the site’s community editor, acting as a link between the team producing the content and our readers. A law and languages graduate, published translator and former retail analyst, he has reported on issues as diverse as cycling-related court cases, anti-doping investigations, the latest developments in the bike industry and the sport’s biggest races. Now back in London full-time after 15 years living in Oxford and Cambridge, he loves cycling along the Thames but misses having his former riding buddy, Elodie the miniature schnauzer, in the basket in front of him.

Add new comment

3 comments

Avatar
WolfieSmith | 11 years ago
0 likes

Hmmmm. Makes you wonder how Premiership clubs or rugby clubs with busy schedules would cope? Treating players and having them back on the pitch each week would be harder with a longer ban period.

Sorry. What was I thinking.. It's all 'recreational' drugs in football - and just beer and protein powder in rugby.  4

Avatar
Sam1 | 11 years ago
0 likes

Agree with Colin. This is a good policy change.

As others have pointed out elsewhere, the ITF permits tennis players to have corticosteroid injections, not just before a match but even during...  39  2

Avatar
Colin Peyresourde | 11 years ago
0 likes

A welcome move. Each step in the right direction is a good step.

Latest Comments