The biological passport programme is one passport that riders would probably rather not have, and it appears that we are on the eve of another raft of doping announcements in our sport if reports on Cyclingnews.com (quoting the Guardian) are to be believed.

After another innocence-pleading US rider (do I have to tell you he is?!) is caught with his pants down, and scuttles off into ‘retirement,’ we should perhaps brace ourselves for the silly-drug-season between now and Paris in late July.

It makes you wonder if the UCI and WADA have some kind of long-game on this. I mean how long does it take to test people? How long does it take to analyse people? How long does it really take for results to come through?

Is there something sinister in announcing these ‘violations’ at a time when the armchair cyclists up and down the country put their football shirts in the drawer until next season, and become Giro and TdF officianados for the summer? Is it damage limitation or carpet bombing for the UCI?

One thing is for sure, until LIFEBANS for anyone CAUGHT using banned substances are implemented this old game will be as perennial as the daffodils in your garden…