UCI President, Pat McQuaid said this weekend that there had been no positive drugs tests at this year's Tour de France and he looked forward to a drugs free future for the race.
McQuaid who was at the Tour of Ireland in Cork spoke of his optimism for the future inthe battle against doping in cycling:
"It's looking like the Tour de France will not have any positive tests for a number of years. I think that's a big step forward for cycling." he told the Reurters news agency
The last few editions of cycling's biggest race have been marred by successive drugs scandals, both before, during and after recent editions as the organisers, for the last couple of editions of the race Tour organisers ASO took a particularly hard line on testing.
"It's been a difficult moment for cycling because of the doping scandals but I think we're coming out of it and going into a good period," McQuaid said.
While there has been general relief that this year's Tour passed off without any drug scandals – despite a concerted programme of testing co-ordinated by the UCI and ASO and the introduction of the UCI's biological passports – sceptics will point to Mike Astarloza's failed drug test.
It was announced that the Spaniard, who won Stage 16 of this year's Tour had failed a drugs test less than a week ater the end of the Tour and only 10 days after his stage win. Astarloza tested positive for EPO derivative – the sample was taken in an out of competition test in June - before the Tour's start.
Astarloza has been provisionally suspended by the UCI, but insists he is innocent - his team, Euskatel Euskadi are standing by their man saying that their internal testing procedures showed no anomalies.
The outcome of tests on Astarloza's b sample are due soon and should be an indication of whether McQuaid's optimisim is a little premature or not.
You can't do around getting rid of grass verges. They provide much needed parking space.
I've found riding primary into upcoming blind bends certainly seems to discourage drivers from overtaking as they would have no choice but to cross...
"Put down your weapon. You have 20 seconds to comply"
Kona makes practical, affordable commuter bikes and goes bust. Colnago makes toys for the affluent and it is booming. Just goes to show that the...
To answer your question, yes you can sometimes feel the difference. Built a set of wheels for a friend and he installed them with new lightweight...
Cycling infrastructure does not force drivers to break the law, drivers are the reason they break the law, no one else.
Ah but taking pictures of things to defy the man (avoid a fine) is righteous. Taking pictures of people to grass on them to the cops (perhaps...
As a woman, this works great for me! My chain broke once, and a kind guy stopped with a chain breaker and sorted it all out for me. We stopped at a...
Same. I also have gone through a bunch of their tyres, and only the extralight disappointed (torn sidewall) but the standards are fantastic....
thanks for the ideas....