Manifesto for a credible cycling
We are a group of newspapers in five countries (Netherlands, Belgium, Great Britain, Italy and France) to continue cycling history for over a century. We love this sport with passion and strongly believe in its future.
We are also very concerned about the current situation. In the long blacklist of doping scandals that have clouded the horizon of cycling in recent years must be added the case of Armstrong, the confessions of several of his former teammates, the report of the American Anti-Doping Agency (USADA) as pointing to a malfunction or complicity of the International Cycling Union (UCI), and disturbing reports have filtered in Padua called research. And in January opens in Puerto trial in Madrid. This recent revelations show clearly that we can not put our faith in the ICU or team managers complicit in the deception. But the failures rest on all families that make cycling.
It seems that things have improved recently. We believe in a new generation of riders, but we believe it is impossible to continue in the same structures, the same operation, the same rules and the same men.
That's why we recommend:
- That the UCI recognizes its responsibilities in the Armstrong case and apologize.
- The constitution, under the responsibility of the Agency (WADA), a neutral and independent commission to investigate the role and responsibility of the ICU in case Armstrong and the fight against doping in general to report errors, abuses and possible complicity.
- That the organization of controls on the biggest races is directly responsible for WADA and anti-doping agencies.
- That the suspension penalties applicable in doping cases are more severe and sports groups pledge not to sign for two years for athletes suspended for more than six months.
- The restoration of the gentlemen's agreement which provides that a broker who is under investigation for doping is automatically suspended for his team.
- A stronger involvement and accountability of the sponsors who fund a team and give it its name.
- Reform of the World Tour, its points system and licensing, maintaining a closed and opaque. We also propose that the licenses are no longer issued to the managers, but the sponsors.
- The celebration of "overall the bike" before the start of the 2013 season in order to define a new organization and new rules.
We sincerely hope that the cycling world will seize the opportunity that is offered to a fundamental reform.
De Telegraaf (Netherlands), Le Soir (Belgium), Het Nieuwsblad (Belgium), The Times (UK), La Gazzetta dell Sport (Italy) and L'Equipe (France)