The initiatives are being implemented in close partnership with the International Cycling Union (UCI) and Events South Australia. The 2008 ‘Tour Down Under’ is the first stop on the UCI sanctioned world professional cycling calendar and the first time that a UCI sanctioned ProTour event has been held in Australia. The anti-doping initiatives announced by ASADA and the UCI include steps never before seen at a cycling event in Australia, including: Launch of the UCI’s Biological Passport Program which will involve mandatory blood profiling of every cyclist before the event; comprehensive and targeted urine testing before and during the event; placing selected samples in ‘The Tank’ (ASADA’s deep freeze storage facility designed to close the net on use of undetectable prohibited substances by freezing samples for future retesting with new technology); sharing intelligence with the Australian Customs Service to enhance the interception at the border of any prohibited substances destined for the ‘Tour Down Under’ and investigation of those involved. ASADA Chairman Richard Ings said ASADA was implementing every measure at its disposal to deter doping at this prestigious international cycling event. “Clean cyclists coming to the ‘Tour Down Under’ can rest assured this will be an event where those contemplating doping will face greater scrutiny than ever before,” Mr Ings said. “Through a combination of blood and urine testing, long term storage of selected samples and existing partnerships with border control and law enforcement agencies, any professional cyclist attempting to dope at this event will face severe consequences.” UCI President Pat McQuaid said he was pleased to see the UCI, ASADA and the event organisers working so closely and indicated that this was a model for future cooperation between international sport and government. “These initiatives to protect the ‘Tour Down Under’ from doping are a demonstration of what can be achieved when international sport and governments work cooperatively together,” Mr McQuaid said. “UCI is absolutely committed to eliminating doping from our sport and we are pleased to partner with such a determined anti-doping body as ASADA to protect the integrity of cycling in Australia.” ASADA is Australia’s peak anti-doping authority with wide ranging powers established under legislation to deter, detect and present cases at tribunals against athletes and their support personnel found in breach of Australia’s anti-doping rules. ASADA’s vision is to be Australia’s driving force for pure performance in sport; ASADA’s mission is to protect Australia’s sporting integrity through the elimination of doping. Anyone with information about an athlete or their support personnel involved in doping should call the Stamp Out Doping hotline on 1800 645 700. Media organisations can contact ASADA's Media Manager for more information on: Work: +61 (0)2 6206 0208 Mobile: +61 (0)418 450 113 Email: [email protected]