I'm not sure why CN made this a story now, as the request happened some time ago immediately after a WADA meeting where they clarified the code. I've been harassing people on twitter about it.
This from Associated Press back on May 12.
The French anti-doping agency has asked the International Cycling Union for authorization to perform additional tests during the Tour de France.
AFLD president Pierre Bordry told The Associated Press on Wednesday that he sent an email to International Cycling Union ( UCI) counterpart Pat McQuaid to offer him the additional drug tests "in accordance with the World Anti-Doping Code."
Bordry said he would turn to the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) if McQuaid refuses his proposal.
The UCI will be in charge of the doping tests during the three-week race next July.
AFLD and UCI have clashed since Bordry accused UCI drug testers of favouring Lance Armstrong's former team Astana during last year's Tour.
"We are a national agency and we are not allowed to supervise the drug tests during international competition, but we can ask for extra controls," McQuaid said in a phone interview. "[WADA] clarified this point last weekend during a meeting of its executive committee."
According to Bordry, the UCI also refused to allow the French agency the right to use the computer files designed to locate riders.
"We want to control the riders who will be training in France before the race starts," Bordry said. "Without those files, it will be difficult to find them but we'll try and find a solution."
Bordry said the AFLD was able to perform only 13 out-of-competition doping tests before last year's race because the UCI refused to fully co-operate with the agency.
"They were giving us details of the riders' location only on the eve of the tests," said Bordry, adding that the AFLD did 80 out-of-competition doping tests prior the 2008 race when it was in charge of the testing program.
http://www.cbc.ca/sports/amateur/story/2010/05/12/sp-drug-tests-tourdefrance.html
The details about the deadlines of 35 days before the race and 21 days before are here.
Accordingly, the AFLD 35 days before the Tour start in Rotterdam on 3 Should this be denied, she has to turn up to 21 days before the race the way the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA).
http://www.focus.de/sport/mehrsport...dopingkontrollen-bei-der-tour_aid_507730.html
Last Sunday was the 35 day mark, but the AFLD sent McQuaid the e-mail ages ago, and the media told him it existed before he even saw it. If the UCI fails to act, the WADA can give authorization June 12.
The WADA is already keeping a close eye on the UCI testing for the Tour. My saved link from Le Temps doesn't work, but some weeks ago it was announced that WADA will have someone from AMA along for every test the UCI does at the Tour de France to make sure everything is done properly and to correct the UCI testers if there's a mistake.
With the WADA watching the UCI like a hawk, additional targeted controls by the AFLD, the OCLAESP doing police work, and the labs trying to come up with tests for microdosing and own blood infusions, I'd feel better as a fan about this Tour de France than any other.
You can help put pressure on the UCIto make an early decision (giving the AFLD more days to test pre-race) by sending a tweet to @UCI-cycling .
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