November 7, 2006 – As reported by Associated Press, the doping scandals of 2006 have shaken professional cycling but new DNA tests may be implemented to stem the problem. UCI President, Pat McQuaid, recently stated that, “We need to give a very strong signal to the world and show them that we don’t accept cheaters.”

One measure that offers hope is DNA testing as proposed by the Association internationale des groupes cyclistes professionnels (AIGCP) which supports McQuaid’s statement and wants to make it mandatory for all cyclists to give DNA samples, starting in 2007. Lawyers from the AIGCP are now working on a document that would apply to both pro cyclists and near pros.

The UCI hopes to use DNA tests both for identification as in the case of Opercion Puerto, and to detect new doping substances, according to Anne Gripper, manager of the UCI’s anti-doping department. Gripper spoke about increasing the quality and number of tests outside of competitions. “The element of surprise is important,” she added.

The element of surprise is very important especially with EPO, a popular doping substance in the 1990s that is suspected to currently be making a huge comeback. Present controls can be foiled if offenders know when they will be tested. This is especially true now that many different forms of EPO, including generic products, are on the market. Apparently, there is now a form of EPO made from the athlete’s own skin cells.

Alain Rumpf, the manager of Pro Tour, claims that the issue of DNA samples raises many questions about human rights and widespread application of new rules necessitates harmonization of laws between different countries.

Teams and riders will meet this week to discuss the new DNA measures but already top riders such as 2006 World Champ Paolo Bettini (Quick-Step) and Alejandro Valverde Belmonte (Caisse d’Epargne-Illes Balears) say it’s unacceptable, violates personal rights and goes too far.

According to Françoise Lasne, a researcher at the Châtenay-Malabry laboratory, “The (doping) tests must go much further than they do currently.”