June 19, 2007 – At a press conference held after a meeting in Geneva this morning with the 20 teams that hold UCI ProTour licences, the International Cycling Union (UCI) announced a series of new measures to combat doping.

The UCI has requested the teams to invite their riders to sign this declaration – here.

By signing the Commitment, the riders swear that they are not involved in Operación Puerto or any other doping affairs and that they will not contravene any of the UCI’s anti-doping regulations. In order to confirm their commitment, riders signing the declaration agree to pay an amount equal to their annual salary for 2007 to the UCI’s anti-doping campaign if they break their pledge.

The names of riders who have signed the “Riders’ commitment to a new Cycling” will be added to a list published on the UCI website. Two riders signed the declaration at the press conference: French rider Sandy Casar (Française des Jeux) and British rider Mark Cavendish (T-Mobile).

Other measures, which form part of the same strategy and also concern undertakings by riders, were also announced.

Riders signing the Commitment are also making a declaration to the Spanish authorities that their DNA is available for comparison with the blood samples seized during Operación Puerto. The riders request the Spanish authorities to arrange this comparison as quickly as possible or allow the UCI to organise it.

The UCI ProTour Council (UPTC) met in Geneva on the previous day, June 18.

After acknowledging the satisfactory progress of negotiations with the organisers of the three Grand Tours and the IPCT (International Professional Cycling Teams), UPTC notes that agreement has not yet been reached.

As it was convened on 3 April to resolve matters for the 2008 season by 30 June in the interest of the teams and to guarantee the proper functioning of the 2008 season, UPTC has taken the following decision: in accordance with UCI ProTour principles, teams holding licences shall have the right and obligation to participate in all the events on the UCI ProTour calendar, including ASO, RCS and Unipublic races.

UPTC also acknowledges the cancellation of the 2007 Züri Metzgete (Championship of Zürich). The Swiss race will not be replaced. A new procedure for the allocation of licences shall be implemented for the 2008 season in accordance with UCI ProTour regulations.