Colorado Springs, Colo. (March 6, 2013) — As part of USA Cycling’s ongoing commitment to clean sport, the organization announced today the introduction of RaceClean — an innovative anti-doping program designed to increase the frequency and effectiveness of in-competition and out-of-competition testing at all levels of competitive cycling in the United States. The RaceClean program is the most extensive anti-doping effort to be introduced by a U.S. National Governing Body within its own events.

The U.S. Anti-Doping Agency (USADA) will conduct the testing and adjudication elements of the program and, to ensure that RaceClean reflects the highest standards of integrity and effectiveness, USADA will operate with full independence in doing so.

“The development of this innovative and collaborative RaceClean program is intended to send a strong statement about anti-doping, further establish the trust in our sport, and ensure a level playing field at all levels of racing,” said USA Cycling President & CEO Steve Johnson. “This important program represents a considerable financial contribution by USA Cycling, and it is gratifying to see that race directors, teams, riders and our Local Associations fully support this initiative. Members and non-members alike can actively participate and show their commitment to clean competition by making a donation to the USA Cycling RaceClean fund HERE.”

The concept of the RaceClean program was given robust support from USA Cycling’s stakeholders during recent meetings with team managers, local association representatives, and race directors.

“Our team sees this effort by USA Cycling as a big step forward in the fight against doping here in the U.S.,” said Jonas Carney, performance director for Optum Pro Cycling Team p/b Kelly Benefit Strategies. “It is everyone’s responsibility to fight for a clean sport and it is great to see our governing body, race organizers, teams, Local Associations, and riders come together on this important issue. Our team welcomes the increased testing and we hope that this will help to ensure a fair and level playing field for competitive cyclists in America.”

New York State Bicycle Racing Association (NYSBRA) President Jeff Poulin echoed those sentiments.

“NYSBRA is proud to be in the lead on this important project to promote fair competition for all of our riders,” Poulin stated. “This is an important step for NYSBRA and USA Cycling to demonstrate our commitment to a clean and fair sport.”

The RaceClean program is comprised of five key components:

Increased Testing at National Calendar Events. – This collaborative effort will be funded by USA Cycling, national calendar race directors, team owners/managers and riders. Testing, which will be conducted by the USADA will begin with road, mountain bike cross-country and cyclo-cross national calendars with the goal of including track and BMX national calendars in the near future.

Increased Out-Of-Competition Testing – USA Cycling will work with USADA to add more riders to the registered testing pool. This requires riders to provide their whereabouts at all times to USADA for testing.

Grassroots Testing – USA Cycling will work with its Local Associations that want to invest in more testing at the local level. USA Cycling will match funds up to $6,000 for each of the 34 Local Associations across the U.S. The Local Associations will opt into the program that USADA will execute.

Donations – USA Cycling will add a check box on its license and club applications for members and clubs that wish to donate to the “RaceClean Fund”. Non-members may also show their support by making an online donation HERE.

Education – USA Cycling will help promote and amplify USADA’s, WADA’s and UCI’s extensive anti-doping education programs and resources through various USA Cycling platforms and programs. This includes the promotion of USADA’s successful “Play Clean Tip Line” http://www.usada.org/playclean.

For more information, please visit the RaceClean webpage.

About USA Cycling

Recognized by the United States Olympic Committee and the Union Cycliste Internationale, USA Cycling is the official governing body for all disciplines of competitive cycling in the United States, including road, track, mountain bike, BMX and cyclo-cross. As a membership-based organization, USA Cycling comprises 74,500+ licensees; 2,800+ clubs and teams; and 34 local associations. The national governing body sanctions over 3,100 competitive and non-competitive events throughout the U.S. each year and is responsible for the identification, development, and support of American cyclists. To learn more about USA Cycling, visit www.usacycling.org.