WADA chief hopes cycling seizes chance

World Anti-Doping Agency chief executive David Howman hopes the independent commission established to investigate cycling’s darkest days will lead to him fielding fewer questions on the use of performance-enhancing drugs in the sport.

UCI president Brian Cookson has established a Cycling Independent Reform Commission tasked with discovering the full extent of the historical doping problems the sport has faced, including whether the world governing body was complicit in covering up drug cheats, as Lance Armstrong has alleged.

All allegations of wrongdoing are denied by former UCI presidents Hein Verbruggen and Pat McQuaid, who both are yet to decide whether to voluntarily attend the CIRC, fearing a personal witch hunt.