November 7, 2008 -The Agency for Cycling Ethics (ACE) has shut down operations according to a report on ESPN. Paul Strauss, CEO of ACE and a Los Angeles anaesthesiologist emailed ESPN to confirm that the company is closing operations, adding that he could not comment any further.

ACE worked with three cycling teams Garmin-Chipotle, Team Columbia and BMC Racing to provide intensive drug screening for the riders of those teams. These teams reputedly were paying ACE six figure amounts annually to ensure that their cyclists were riding clean. The three teams are reportedly scrambling to find other options, having staked much on their “clean” reputations.

The ACE program was fully endorsed by the UCI. Anne Gripper of the UCI commented in 2007 that, “ACE assists cycling teams to create a doping-free culture by providing a robust, independent and transparent anti-doping program.” Speaking of Team Columbia, she said that “by initiating a comprehensive team-based anti-doping program delivered by the Agency for Cycling Ethics (ACE), by actively supporting the UCI in their broad anti-doping efforts and most importantly, by actively working to create a doping-free culture within their team, they are a role model for other teams to follow.”

The website Agencyforcyclingethics.com “is under construction or otherwise out of service.” The website also indicates that this is “the future site of the Agency for Cycling Ethics.” Cached information previously described ACE as “The Agency for Cycling Ethics, LLC is committed to a cycling environment free of performance enhancing drugs. ACE’s programs for riders and teams include education and counseling [sic] coupled with an innovative drug testing program.”

Canada’s Michael Barry will continue to ride for Team Columbia in 2099 and Alex Wrubleski has joined the squad as well according to a preliminary 2009 roster announcement. Fellow Canuck Svein Tuft has signed with Garmin-Chipotle and it’s likely that Ryder Hesjedal will return as well. Current Canadian Road Champ, Christian Meier, may also be on board following his signing with Garmin-Chipotle as a ‘s tagiaire’ in July 2008.

For more on this story ESPN and ACE.