This week the U.S. Anti-Doping Agency (USADA) made known its protocols for the 2011 Amgen Tour of California taking place May 15 to 22. The new guidelines are based on previous anti-doping procedures, and expand on the elements with their frequency and rigor.
In the 90 days prior to the race beginning February 15, all race participants will be subject to no-advance notice sample collections. International riders will be subject to the same no-advance notice, out-of-competition testing. During the competition the race organizers in accordance with the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) Code in-competition criteria will conduct testing. This includes daily doping controls following a strategic test distribution plan. Samples will be screened for substances and methods used on the WADA Prohibited List such as steroids, hormones, stimulants and various masking agents. More information on the anti-doping protocols can be found on the AMGEN Tour of California site and the USADA site.
Doping scandals continue to take their toll on the sport of cycling. Where scandal might bring more attention and interest to some sports, to cycling the repeated news of doping tends to lower interest in watching competitive cycling. In turn, lack of interest in competitive cycling can sometimes lead to people leaving their bikes in the garage to rust rather than riding. Any efforts to prevent the practice, rather than just screening, helps minimize doping events and therefore makes the sport more interesting to watch.