2009 Anti-Doping Initiative
While no rider has ever failed a drug test during the Amgen Tour of California, organizers remain committed to doing what is right to eliminate doping from the sport of cycling.
The groundbreaking initiative, developed by AEG in partnership with the Union Cycliste Internationale (UCI), cycling’s global governing body and the United States Anti-Doping Agency (USADA), stipulates that:
- All riders will have blood samples collected prior to the race. All of the blood samples will be tested for indications of blood manipulation and 30 percent of riders will have urine samples collected before the race. Urine samples will be analyzed for the presence of banned substances such steroids, hormones (including EPO) and various masking agents.
The results of the blood tests will be incorporated into the UCI’s Biological Passport program. The “Biological Passport” is an individual electronic record for each rider, in which the results of all doping tests over a period of time are collated. - Every day, the stage winner, current leader of the general classification and additional riders will be have a full screen for steroids, hormones (such as EPO), stimulants and various masking agents. In addition to the post-stage testing, there will be random or targeted full screen testing every day for additional riders during evenings and mornings.
- All participating teams have agreed to guarantee that all members of their teams, including coaches, trainers and support staff, are clear of any open doping investigations.
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