McQuaid plan to keep riders clean

International Cycling Union president Pat McQuaid hopes new policy proposals will provide riders with the right amount of support and mentoring to help the long-term battle against doping.

Under the proposals there will be new team structures to ensure there is one doctor, one coach and one sports director, each holding separate responsibilities, for every seven riders within the group.

There will be the introduction of a skills certification standard to make sure all those working within professional cycling are suitably qualified and approved to do so.

“Today’s riders should never be faced with having to make the same choices as previous generations,” said Irishman McQuaid.

“Today’s teams and those of the future must be built upon a model where riders are placed at the centre of the organisation where their performance is monitored and underpinned through collaboration with a multi-disciplinary scientific team.

“This will enhance the level of monitoring care and support available to each rider, thereby helping riders to better manage their workload, race schedule and recovery.”

McQuaid also acknowledged the need for a sustainable economic model to help teams implement the new proposed initiatives.

The UCI Congress will elect the world governing body’s next president at the World Road Championships on September 27 in Florence — a straight fight between McQuaid and England’s Brian Cookson.