Amgen Tour, USA Cycling, And USADA Get Tough On Drug Testing
The Amgen Tour, USA Cycling, and the U.S. Anti-Doping Agency (USADA) are mounting a coordinated effort to get tougher on drug testing. It is claimed that the 2008 Amgen Tour of California will have the most comprehensive anti-doping protocol in competitive cycling worldwide.
Blood samples will be taken from every competitor on the day before the race starts and tested for steroids, hormones, masking agents, and EPO. Urine samples will be taken pre-race from 30 percent of the competitors. Post-stage drug tests will be conducted on stage winners, the race leader, and three random tiders. Random or targetted full screenings will also be conducted daily on three additional riders during evenings and mornings.
All participating teams must guarantee that their riders, trainers, support staff, and doctors are not involved in any doping investigation.
The plan drew praise from team owners, USA Cycling and riders alike.
The DaytaTree Team