USA Cycling and USADA launch new anti-doping program

USA Cycling on Wednesday announced a new initiative for clean sport that will aim to increase in- and out-of-competition anti-doping testing. Billed as “RaceClean,” the new program will roll out as a partnership with the U.S. Anti-Doping Agency, which USAC officials said will act independently of the governing body.

“The development of this innovative and collaborative RaceClean program is intended to send a strong statement about anti-doping, further establish the trust in our sport, and ensure a level playing field at all levels of racing,” said USA Cycling president and CEO Steve Johnson in a press release.

Testing tied to RaceClean will extend to professional and amateur racers and USA Cycling called it the “most extensive anti-doping effort to be introduced by a U.S. National Governing Body within its own events.” The governing body will match up to $6000 annually for its local associations to carry out amateur testing.

USA Cycling vetted the program with stakeholders groups, including teams, race organizers, and local associations.

“Our team sees this effort by USA Cycling as a big step forward in the fight against doping here in the U.S.,” said Optum-Kelly Benefit Strategies director Jonas Carney. “It is everyone’s responsibility to fight for a clean sport and it is great to see our governing body, race organizers, teams, Local Associations, and riders come together on this important issue. Our team welcomes the increased testing and we hope that this will help to ensure a fair and level playing field for competitive cyclists in America.”

One state hit recently with amateur doping positives is New York. New York State Bicycle Racing Association (NYSBRA) president Jeff Poulin expressed support for the new program.

“NYSBRA is proud to be in the lead on this important project to promote fair competition for all of our riders,” said Poulin. “This is an important step for NYSBRA and USA Cycling to demonstrate our commitment to a clean and fair sport.”

Johnson pointed to a “considerable financial contribution by USA Cycling” for the RaceClean project and urged members and non-members to donate to the USA Cycling RaceClean fund.

RaceClean Principles:
1. Increased Testing at National Calendar Events — This collaborative effort will be funded by USA Cycling, national calendar race directors, team owners/managers, and riders. Testing, which will be conducted by the USADA will begin with road, mountain bike cross-country, and cyclocross national calendars with the goal of including track and BMX national calendars in the near future.
2. Increased Out-Of-Competition Testing — USA Cycling will work with USADA to add more riders to the registered testing pool. This requires riders to provide their whereabouts at all times to USADA for testing.
3. Grassroots Testing — USA Cycling will work with its Local Associations that want to invest in more testing at the local level. USA Cycling will match funds up to $6,000 for each of the 34 Local Associations across the U.S. The Local Associations will opt into the program that USADA will execute.
4. Donations — USA Cycling will add a check box on its license and club applications for members and clubs that wish to donate to the RaceClean Fund. Non-members may also show their support by making an online donation.
5. Education — USA Cycling will help promote and amplify USADA’s, WADA’s, and UCI’s extensive anti-doping education programs and resources through various USA Cycling platforms and programs. This includes the promotion of USADA’s successful “Play Clean Tip Line.”