A cycling shrine

Santuario Madonna Del Ghisallo

After enduring a soaking as we raced around after the Tour of Lombardy on Saturday, we could take things a bit easier on Sunday. We enjoyed a stroll around the food market in Melegnano in the morning followed by a leisurely lunch with friends, including one who has just come back from Afghanistan, but that's another story!

Since we had plenty of time to get to Bergamo for our flight we decided to head back to Lake Como and try to visit Madonna Del Ghisallo. It's not often I'd go out of my way to see a church, but this is no ordinary church.

The Sanctuary of Madonna Del Ghisallo, located near the village of Magreglio, has been venerated as the site of a Marian apparition since medieval times. But more recently, in the 1940's, the local priest proposed that, since the hill up to it is one of the key points in the Tour of Lombardy, it would be appropriate for the Madonna Del Ghisallo to be declared the patron saint of cyclists. He managed to have this confirmed by Pope Pius XII ensuring that this little chapel would become a site of pilgrimage for cyclists the world over.

We drove up from the beautiful, if touristy, Bellagio, covering the route taken by the race the day before. I had always thought that this was a relatively small climb but I was wrong! Over 10km of switchbacks the road rises more than 550m. The average gradient of 5.2% belies the difficulty since it includes a downhill section. In fact, there are some ramps of well over 10%. To put it in perspective, this photo looking down on Bellagio was taken only about half way up.

Bellagio and Lake Como

On reaching the top the popularity of the Madonna Del Ghisallo as a destination for fans becomes clear. Near the church is a large car park flanked by not one, but two, cafés. The area around it is immaculately groomed and maintained.

Immediately in front of the church portico two busts stand side by side, representing those great rivals of mid 20th century Italian cycling, Fausto Coppi and Gino Bartali.

Bartali and Coppi welcome visitors.

But it's only when you walk inside the tiny chapel that the full extent of it's sacred place in the European, and especially Italian, cycling world hits you. It is literally crammed with memorabilia that any collector would give away their first born for. What gives this collection it's real significance are the facts that it hasn't been gathered out of vanity nor has any money changed hands to assemble it. It's not really a "collection" at all, but rather it's a mix of devotional offerings made in memory of the greats or in thanksgiving for achievements the rider felt were guided by something higher than training and diet (but not illegal!).

Bikes, pennants, jerseys and plaques line the walls

There are bikes, jerseys, pennants and plaques commemorating cyclists of all ages, from legends of the sport to unheralded amateurs, some of whom are buried in the cemetery across the road.

Of course, a lot of the items belonged to Italian riders but not all. There are Tour Yellow Jerseys (including those of Fausto Coppi, Miguel Indurain and Bernard Hinault), multiple Rainbow Jerseys (including Evans, Bugno, Cippolini, Saronni, Binda, Ballan and Cantele) and multiple Giro Pink Jerseys (Pantani, Motta, Moser).

One wall of jerseys won by Hinault, Indurain, Saronni, Bugno, Binda,
Ballan, Cantele, Canins and many, many more.

Bikes on display include those of Coppi, Motta, Moser, Gimondi and Merckx.

Gimondi and Moser's bikes.

Coppis bike and Tour Maillot Jaune

Motta's bike

Perhaps most poignant of all the items on display are the memorials to young riders cut off in their prime. South African, Ryan Cox is commemorated by a framed Barloworld jersey but it is the battered bike from which Olympic Champion Fabio Casertelli fell during the Tour De France that stops you in your tracks. That tragic event on the Porte D'Aspet in the Pyrenees hit Italian cycling hard. That his bike is given pride of place, next to those of Merckx and Coppi, shows the depth of feeling it still engenders.

Fabio Casertelli's damaged bikes reminds us all of the dangers of the sport.

Over the years so many artefacts have been donated to the church that it became impossible to display them all in it's tiny chapel. So, in 2006, a full blown cycling museum was opened next door. Walking from the church to the museum you pass a small garden area overlooking the stunning Lake Como below. The garden contains a plaque dedicated to the memory of Vincenzo Torriani, long time director of the Giro D'Italia and a magnificent sculpture encapsulating the two sides of this fantastic sport. It depicts two riders, one with an arm raised in triumph while the other picks himself off the ground in disappointment.

Agony and ecstasy

We arrived at the museum just as it was closing to visitors but a bit of "but we came all the way from Ireland" shameless pleading got us in, and for nothing as well! And boy, was it worth the journey!

For all of the poignancy of the church, the museum is something else entirely. The building has a low profile, sweeping design which blends into the hillside but is surprisingly cavernous inside. One end is a full curtain of glass which I'm sure reveals a magnificent view over Lake Como, if the clouds aren't down on top of it like they were on Sunday.

But it's the contents that are the star. As you walk down the switchback ramp to the sunken ground floor, you pass one amazing black and white snapshot of Italy's cycling history after another. Coppi features a lot but overall the photos show the sport as an integral part of the social fabric of the country.



Once on the ground floor you can wander at will through rows of bikes of all ages and by cases of historic jerseys. As you'd expect there's a lot of pink, quite a few rainbows, some yellow plus Olympic rings, blue Italian jerseys and red, white and green national championship colours all labelled with instantly recognisable names of great champions.

Giro Winners jerseys. From right: Ivan Gotti (1999), Ivan Basso (2010)
and Denis Menchov (2009)

World Cup and World Champions Jerseys won by Paulo Bettini

Marco Pantani's 1998 Tour De France winners jersey

Matt Lloyds 2010 Giro KOM Jersey 

It's especially nice when a jersey or bike throws up a personal memory. For me seeing Guiseppi Saronni's red Worlds winning Colnago brought me right back to my first experience of the race at Goodwood in 1982. The fact it was just beside Cadel Evans Rainbow Jersey, my last time at the race, added a little more significance. The 1960 Olympic winners jersey was a reminder of my Dads involvement in that event.

Red Colnago ridden to victory by Saronni, World Champs, Goodwood, 1982 

World Champions stripes. From right: Lance Armstrong (1993), Cadel Evans (2009),
Luc Leblanc (1994)

Olympic Team Pursuit Champions Jersey won by
Marino Vigna (ITA), Rome, 1960

Every old cyclist loves to stress how bikes were harder to ride in their day, how they had no gears, or bigger tyres, or heavier frames, etc, etc... But when you see some of those bikes up close it's pretty clear they aren't kidding. I was especially amazed to see Bartali's 1948 Tour De France winning bike. I had heard about pre derailleur bikes, where changing gears involved taking out the back wheel and turning it around, but I'd never seen one before. Incidentally, the story goes that Bartali inadvertently stopped a possible civil war in Italy by winning that Tour, when opposing factions came together to celebrate his victory.

1948 Tour winning bike of Gino Bartali. Check out the two sided rear wheel.

My Dad was there to see Ercole Baldini win the 1958 Worlds on this bike.

One section of the museum is dedicated to greats of the sport throughout the years, including a feature honouring the top 48 riders of all time. Needless to say Sean Kelly is in there with the best. It's hard not to feel a sense of pride that one of our own is so obviously highly respected in such a cycling mad country as Italy. Even if he is described as "Inglese" under nationality.

Kelly takes his place among the greats.

Kelly's nook in the 48 Greatest of All Time section

Where's he from?

Of course, after reading about Kelly we went looking for the section about Stephen Roche. Amazingly there isn't one! Now he may not be one of the top 48 but surely winning the triple in 1987 must qualify him for a place on the bigger "Great Encyclopedia of Cycling"? Or have the Italians not forgiven him for beating Visentini?

Where's Roche?

Everywhere you turn, you're looking at what can only be described as the holy relics of cycling. Coppi's track bike, Merckx's bike and jersey collection, a display case of jerseys belonging to Museum Director Fiorenzi Magni, Moser's groundbreaking Hour Record bike. You name it and it's there somewhere.

Il Campionissimo's Track Bike

And the man himself.

The greatest of them all rode a very ordinary looking bike....

... but won pretty much everything there is on it.

Magni, an Italian legend and Director of the Museum

The bike that broke the Hour twice in a few days 1984, helped by some then
still legal blood doping.

My only regret of the day is we hadn't anywhere near enough time to see everything on display. We had no time to really enjoy the movies showing in the cinema, we missed the technical exhibit, the collection of track bikes, the historic newspaper covers or the special exhibit commemorating Franco Ballerini, tragically killed earlier in the year.

The Sanctuary of Madonna Del Ghisallo, and the accompanying Museum, are rightly a mecca for cycling fans. If there was to be a list of cycling related things to do before you die visiting here would have to feature at or near the top. The only way to top this visit would be to ride up the climb first. Maybe next time!

Museum website: http://www.museodelghisallo.it/

PS: Some of the images adorning the walls of the museum:











PPS: How to get there from Dublin:

We flew Ryanair to Bergamo (or Milan as they call it!) and then rented a car from Europcar. Madonna Del Ghisallo is approx 65km from Bergamo airport.

Alternatively you could fly to Milan Malpensa (85km away) or Milan Linate (67km).

By public transport you could catch a train to Asso from Milano Cadorno station and take a bus from there.

Tour Of Lombardy 2010

Ever since seeing Sean Kelly battling with Greg Lemond along the shores of Lake Como in the 80's I've loved watching the Tour of Lombardy. The rolling, twisting roads, lined with palatial villas, and the autumnal light make this one of the seasons most dramatic events. This year I finally managed to get there in person for a day of madcap driving on, literally, the highways and byways of Lombardy chasing the peleton and sitting in race created traffic jams.

Known as the "Race of the Falling Leaves" this October race always features the short (believe me, that's a relative term!), sharp, and very beautiful, hills around this famous lake in Northern Italy, although the start and finish often move around the region. In recent years it has started in Como, Cantu, Mendrisio (SUI), Varese and Milan and has finished in Como, Milan, Monza and Bergamo, but no matter which towns are used, it's always a tough end-of-season battle and caps off one riders season in triumph.

That rider is rarely an unworthy victor. Since Kelly's three wins, in 1983, 1985 and 1991, winners have included Tony Rominger, Laurent Jalabert, Damiano Cunego, Paulo Bettini and, last year, Phillipe Gilbert.

The 2010 race started at the shiny, new Lombardy Regional Council building in central Milan. The riders then headed north to do a lap of the inverted Y shaped Lake Como, with some tough detours into the surrounding hills punctuating the route. The most famous hill has always been the climb to the sanctuary of Madonna Del Ghissalo, Patron Saint of Cyclists, but this year also featured the ascents of the Intelvi, the Colle di Ballisio, the brutally steep Colma di Sormano and a final sting with the inclusion of the steep San Fermo di Battaglia with just 5km to go.

Our day started south of Milan, in the suburban village of Melegnano, home to some long standing family friends, our hosts for the weekend. Following their directions we made our way to a residential street near the start and parked the car, ready to hit the road before the race start.

We wandered down to the area marked on our map as the bus parking area to find a still empty street. We were too keen! So we walked on to the Start area, mooched some freebie caps and compared notes for the day with the other Irish spectators and press we bumped into. Photographer Eoin Clarke even offered to take us in his accredited car but we had to decline that. We would have had trouble getting back to, and finding, our own hire car in Milan afterwards.

We walked back to the bus area to find most teams were set up by now. Bikes were lined up alongside team cars and buses, ready for the riders to emerge from their inner sanctums and move off. Having been at the more formal Worlds and Tour De France in the past, the informality of this scene was great. Team directors, like Sky's Sean Yates and Garmin's Jonathan Vaughters, hung about chatting to all comers while their staff busied themselves readying musettes and spare bikes. Riders talked to fans and press and then moved off one by one to sign on.

Dan Martins bike ready to roll

I had offered the guys at Bike Pure that I would spread their message if I could so I was delighted that an approach to Vaughters was well received. He not only put on the wristband, but took a few more to give away too. This is a man who stands up to be counted!

Garmin DS Jonathan Vaughters supporting Bike Pure

My travelling companion Stephen O'Shea tried very hard, without success, to track down his "namesake", Cofidis rider, Stephane Augé. Instead we joined the small group of Irish "fans" waiting for one of the race favourites, Dan Martin, to climb from the Garmin bus. When he did he looked very relaxed. He had plenty of time to chat with us and sign a jersey for some young, female fans. I asked him about the sticker "protest" taking place, which would see some teams wearing a sticker saying "I ride with my heart" in response to comments by an elderley Italian Olympic official that all riders are doping. Dan had no sticker and was quick to dismiss the idea, pointing out for one thing that the man has apologised. I tend to agree with him that the protest was a joke. Some of those making the biggest fuss may not be so squeaky clean themselves! From what I saw, no more than half of the teams looked to be sporting the sticker.

"Io corro con il cuoro" (I ride with my heart")

Dan looks very relaxed before one of his potentially biggest days on a bike.

Edvald Boassen Hagen (Nor), another young rider hoping to shake up the old guard.

This was when we made the biggest mistake of the day. Instead of heading out the road ahead of the race, the temptation to follow the riders to the start was too much. The informality allowed us to mingle with the stars making it hard to drag ourselves away.

Cadel Evans (Aus) looked relaxed without his rainbow jersey.

Three times World Champion, Oscar Freire (Spa)

Olympic Champion, Samuel Sanchez (Spa), looks lost!

When we did finally get to the car, the race had already left and we found ourselves mired in the resulting traffic. I'd never driven in Italy before but it wasn't long before I was copying the locals and taking every opportunity to cut in front, cut across, switch lane, in fact anything to get ahead faster.

One of the keys to following a race like Lombardy is to have your satnav preset with the points where you want to watch the race. Then, in theory, you only have to press the button and the nice lady will tell you the way to go. The problem is she's not so good on unforeseen blockages, like roadworks! Our plan to shoot up the motorway and get ahead of the peloton was thwarted by a blocked entry ramp, forcing us back onto the race route, behind the cavalcade. By the time we got on to the motorway, and off again, just before the Swiss border at Chiasso, the traffic jam in front of us made it pretty clear we'd not gotten the jump on them.

But this wasn't the end of the world. All it meant was we wouldn't get to the point where the race leaves the lake for the Intelvi climb on time. But we were still on schedule for the most important milestone in our day. We needed to catch the ferry from the point where the race rejoined the lakeshore at Menaggio across to Varenna on the far side. That would, and did, allow us to get to the climb above Bellano (famous for the fact George Clooney has a house there!) well before the road closed.

We parked about halfway up, right beside the entry point to another motorway, part of the plan to get us to the next point on time. Leaving the car we had plenty of time to wander down a couple of hairpins, through the narrow cobbled alleys of a sleepy hamlet. The day was turning damp and grey but it wasn't too bad yet and it was nice to stretch our legs, although the absence of a café for a quick espresso was a bit disappointing.

A grey day above Lake Como

Before too long race vehicles started to appear below, snaking their way up to where we were. A tannoy car announced that there was a break of 5 riders away with a gap of 8 minutes. A few minutes more we could see flashing lights coming down the lake from the north just as not one, but two, trains forced a level crossing to close the route. We had a birds eye view of a growing backlog of pre-race cars and could imaging the swearing that was going on in them as the trains trundled past. Just in time the crossing opened and the break rounded the corner below us. The riders were up to us in no time, talking among themselves. It looked to me like they were discussing whether or not to drop one of their number who was starting to struggle.

Mauro De Dalpo (Lampre), Diego Caccia (ISD) and
Kjeil Carlstrom (Sky) among the leading group.

The break consisted of Tony Gallopin (Cofidis), Gianluca Mirenda (ISD-Neri), Diego Caccia (ISD-Neri), Mauro Da Dalto (Lampre-Farnese Vini), Kjeil Carlström (Team Sky) and Michael Albasini (HTC-Columbia). Gallopin was clearly suffering while Carlström had torn shorts and some nasty road rash. It was pretty clear these guys weren't going to be getting the glory today, even at that early stage.

One of the interesting things about seeing a race up close is to watch what the support people are doing. I was amused to see a very well wrapped up motorbike photographer hop off his bike and start clambering up into someone's garden. Anything for the perfect shot! Meanwhile his pilot took the opportunity to get his sandwich out and enjoyed a leisurely lunch at the roadside.

Not long after, the peloton came up from below, led by the Omega Pharma Lotto team of race favourite Gilbert. He clearly fancied his chances of two in a row. Best of all Dan Martin was looking comfortable in the main bunch.

Gilbert's boys lead the bunch

Dan (left) is well wrapped up against the conditions. 

The peloton goes on it's way. Spot the photographer in the garden.

Once they'd gone past, we legged it back up the hill to the car and fought our way out through the traffic onto the motorway. I'm not sure what the top speed of a Fiat Panda is but we must have been testing it through the chain of tunnels that brought us to Lecco and our next waypoint.

The weather was drawing in now and the break was looking the worse for wear by the time they passed over the bridge where we were.

Michael Albasini leads the remains of the break through Lecco

The break is splitting at this point

Tony Gallopin has had enough and waits for the bunch

As the bunch passed through we struggled to pick out Dan Martin. Wet days are not the best for spotting riders as they all wear similar rain gear over their distinctive jerseys. Why rain capes can't match team kit I don't know. Neither of us saw Dan and, more worryingly, the Garmin car seemed to be missing too. The pack had been split to pieces so we waited for most of them to go through but there was no sign of Garmin. Eventually we had to get back on the road if we were going to get to Como for the finish so we had no idea if Dan was still in the hunt or not, but it didn't look good.

A rain cape clad peloton rolls through Lecco.

Sky's Bradley Wiggins (left) was obviously having a bad day, but where was
Dan Martin?

About halfway to Como we spotted a load of team cars coming from a junction to the right. That road was a direct route from the last feeding station so these were the staff heading to the finish. I have to admit it was fun racing along sandwiched between the HTC-Columbia and the Caisse D'Epargne cars! At least we didn't need to worry about the satnav.

By the time we parked in Como the rain was pelting down. We were well soaked as we followed the sound of the announcers to find the finish, so could only imagine how it was for the riders. We got to the big screen as the tannoy was reading out the names of the riders still in contention. Gilbert was still there, as were Sanchez, Nibali, Scarponi et al but there was no mention of Mar-teen. Not good!

The race came through Como near the finish are before heading out again to take in the San Fermo Di Battaglia climb. As they sped down into the town in now torrential rain Gilbert was out in front with Scarponi riding away from a group containing Nibali. The rain was so bad my heart was in my mouth waiting for someone, rider or vehicle, to lose it but thankfully no-one did.

A sea of umbrellas watching the race on the big screen

Back at the finish, we got a spot just after the line and settled down to watch the finale unfold on the big screen. Of course, Gilbert asserted his dominance by simply riding away from Scarponi and, after a nail biting descent, had time to assert his number one status for the cameras before crossing the line to take two in row.

Phillipe Gilbert is congratulated by his soigneur after taking victory

Over the next few minutes a procession of bedraggled riders rolled over the line, some, like Vincenzo Nibale, visibly shivering from the cold. I'll bet they were never so glad to get the final race of the season over.

Not too many were left around to see the podium presentations but for Gilbert, the sounds of the Belgian anthem marked another step in his road to becoming one of the great classics riders. Sean Kelly opened my eyes to the joys of Lombardy and, in Gilbert, I see a rider in his image. A tough, gutsy rider able to win in all conditions on just about any terrain.

From left: Michele Scarpone (2nd), Phillipe Gilbert (1st) and Pablo Lastras (3rd)

By the way, after the start my good camera packed in for the day. All shots from then on were taken on my HTC Legend phone so apologies for the poor quality of some of them.

Result:

1. Philippe Gilbert (Bel) Omega Pharma-Lotto 6:46:32
2. Michele Scarponi (Ita) Androni Giocattoli @ 12 secs
3. Pablo Lastras Garcia (Spa) Caisse d'Epargne @ 55 secs
4. Jakob Fuglsang (Den) Team Saxo Bank @ 1 min 8 secs
DNF Daniel Martin (Irl) Garmin Transitions

Listen to your body. Yeah, right!

You have to love the Dr Hutch column in Cycling Weekly. He really knows the cyclists mind.

"I don't go cycling to listen to my body. I go cycling to batter it into submission and drown out it's middle-aged whingeing and expectations." (Cycling Weekly, Sept 2nd 2010)

Brilliant!

BTW Well done to the same Hutch for his second successive 4th place for Northern Ireland in the Commonwealth Games TT in Delhi. Or should that be commiserations? 4th is such a confusing placing in a Games.

We Were Young and Carefree

Just before the tragic early death of Laurent Fignon was announced I finished reading his recently translated autobiography. In "We Were Young and Carefree", Fignon presents a characteristically honest and upfront account of his ascent to the heights of world cycling and then his frustrations as his career, and key personal relationships, failed to live up to early expectations.

The opening sets the tone for the book when he explains how sick he became of people recognising him as the guy who lost the Tour by 8 seconds. He, justifiably, retorted that no, in fact, he was the guy who WON the Tour twice.

Fignon had an unorthodox background for a cyclist of his time and continued to be unorthodox throughout his career. As a rider he was distinctive, direct and aggressive. As a man he was prepared to be different, to be blunt and to undermine traditions he felt blocked progress. His relationship with Cyrille Guimard naturally features a lot in the book giving an insight into both Fignon himself and also going some way to explaining why Guimard eventually fell out with all of his protegés.

Fignon was a great of the sport, but he was also an interesting and very unique man. This book captures that and stands as a fitting reminder of someone lost to us too soon.

You can buy "We Were Young and Carefree" from Muse-ette Books, price Stg£11.69 by clicking here

It's not just dogs.

I thought my dog crash was a fluke but this one is worse. A poor woman in Australia is in hospital with serious head injuries following a crash with a wallaby. Seems the marsupial jumped into a group of three riders but she came off worst.

Like me, she was wearing a helmet but, unlike me, still sustained head injuries.

I've no report on how she's doing but wish her all the best.

http://www.news.com.au/national/wallaby-knocks-woman-off-bike-leaving-her-in-critical-condition/story-e6frfkvr-1225934641612

Is there a climbers jersey for this?

I only have one word to write about this.Why?

http://www.asylum.co.uk/2010/10/04/stunt-cyclist-bunny-hops-up-48-floor-building-now-has-really-so/

Bike Pure

I've just signed up as an Ambassador for Bike Pure. Here's what it's all about:


Bike Pure began as a simple anti doping brand, where athletes could show they ride without drugs and respect their fellow competitors. Now with an effective presence in 87 countries we are utilizing our talented membership to make a positive change to our sport. Please email us your suggestions to help sport.


CYCLESPORT 2.0 – A BLUEPRINT FOR A NEW START TO CYCLE RACING:

Bike Pure is making an impact in the fight against doping and it is through the continued support from every member in every corner of the world that we are making steady progress. We are compiling a blueprint for the future. A collection of proposals, which we hope once implemented, will improve cycle sport and help eradicate doping. These recommendations entitled: Cycle Sport 2.0 – are a new start for a damaged sport.

Nico Roche supports Bike Pure
by wearing the wristband.

Step one is accepting that there is a problem within cycling. We can either ignore it, or work to bring about change. Bike Pure is about structured repair and preserving our sport for the next generation. The second draft of our proposals was formally submitted to the UCI, WADA, professional teams, race organizers and national cycling federations with the hope of bringing about change. Everybody who has added their name in support of Bike Pure has a voice, their own ideas for an improved sport. We urge you to send us your own affirmative, workable suggestions on how to eliminate doping from cycling and improve our sport (regardless of how brief or detailed your idea).

1.We propose a lifetime ban from competition and coaching, for those who use, administer or are found to encourage the use of illegal performance enhancing methods. This protects the sport from corrupt coaches, managers, team doctors etc. whose lengthy careers within the sport can have a damaging effect on generations of professional riders.

This may be reduced to a three year ban only when a rider fulfills all of the following criteria:


a. Full disclosure of supply of drugs used by an athlete and methods used to avoid detection.
b. Provide a testimonial to young riders on the effects doping had had to their life/career.
c. Repayment of salaries and winnings during the previous 12 months of competition.

Exceptions:
- Riders under 21 years old would be subject to a 2-year suspension.
- An appeal committee would review the banned substance, if:

i) The prohibited substance is on the banned list but not verified to have a significant performance advantage.
ii) negligence is a factor in the positive return.
iii) or proven accidental ingestion by means of supplement or other.

In these cases a warning or less stringent one or two year suspension could be decided. Riders must be fully aware of the implications of doping and that a decision to do so can ultimately end ones career.

2. All testing to be carried out by a global testing Agency , built on competence, honesty and independence. This independent authority must have no affiliation with any cycling governing body, team or sponsor linked to cyclesport. The structure of the national testing bodies could remain but with active independent central control, lab monitoring and regulation.

3.  On the second positive test by a cycling Team in any year, that team will forfeit automatic grand tour or race entry and  be stripped of wildcard status, this will hopefully encourage more efficient internal controls..

4. Suspensions for riders to be fully implemented globally, regardless of geographical location and/or National Federation.

5. Offending riders and team personnel involved in administration of doping practices and the administers/suppliers of illegal drugs punished accordingly in line with judicial law. Team management will be responsible for endemic (3 positive returns in 24 month period) drug use- This will incurr a life ban from ANY professional cycling involvement.

6. The full public disclosure of all riders’ medication notes eg. Asthma remedies, Cortisone creams, Testosterone supplements etc. Mitigating medicines be collated on an approved list. All riders submit a full medical to be assessed by an independent body for approval.

7. Team Medical: The disclosure of all riders VO2 max measurements, so that profiles can be built up in conjunction with the impending Bio-Passport system.

8. Syringes  banned at races for use by team staff riders. Vitamins and recovery aids etc to be taken orally. All prescribed medicine undertaken only by central independent race doctors. Brake the reliance on drugs.

9. Authorities working with previous offenders of doping to help improve the testing procedures. Former dopers, although part of the initial problem, would be able to provide information on how riders evade detection and the methods and practices involved in doping. Their reasons for doping could also be taken on board.

10. Publication of annual or real-time individual’s blood and urine profiles would lead to an increased transparency and thus trust.

11. Pharmaceutical companies must be  pressured to report to competent authorities any anomalies and suspicions regarding the increase in demand/ consumption. These drug manufacturers Research and Development departments to keep up with the latest detection methods or drug manipulation protocols to place a ‘marker’ in all products for ease of detection.

12. Team, rider and national federation informed within 24 hours on return of a positive A sample. No media informed until B sample (if requested) result confirmation.  Riders license is immediatly suspended.

For more info and to support Bike Pure vist the Bike Pure Website