USA Pro Challenge; Pee In A Cup
Regardless of your opinions on pro-cycling and its seemingly endless doping scandals, for a fan of road racing, getting to witness a professional event on your home turf is pretty cool. Even better is volunteering with cycling’s governing body, the UCI, with an All Access Pass, witnessing all the behind the scenes action.
Yesterday, the USA Pro Challenge stage race rolled from Gunnison, CO over Monarch Pass, around Salida’s downtown for two laps then back up Monarch Pass for an exciting mountain finish won by Colorado boy, Tejay van Garderen. At the stage’s finish, my pal Ryan Knobbe, two other gentlemen and I served as Doping Control Chaperon’s as part of the UCI’s efforts to tackle the issue of drugs and doping.
Our role was simple; as soon after crossing the finish line as possible, we would identify ourselves to our assigned rider, have them sign a Notification Form then act like their shadow, watching their every move as we eventually escort them to the Anti-Doping vehicle. There, the UCI Doping Control Officer takes over and the rider provides a urine sample in front of an M.D.. I was assigned the stage winner, Ryan was assigned the new General Classification(GC) holder, the two other gentlemen were assigned a random rider for testing. [Although, we learned, sometimes the random is not random at all but is specifically targeted by the UCI head office in Switzerland because of some concern they have about that rider. Our randoms were legitimate randoms.] If the stage winner also became the new GC holder, then only one Chaperon would serve Notice and escort him to the Anti-Doping vehicle. When this was mentioned, I looked at Ryan and firmly announced that I would serve Notice if such a situation arose. He groaned but acquiesced.
After 3hrs 50mins and 41secs, Tejay van Garderen of the BMC Racing Team narrowly beat out Rafal Majka of Tinkoff-Saxo. Within moments, the team soigneur helped Tejay off his bike and into the race leaders-only Green Room(which was actually, a white tent). Moments later, I identified myself to Tejay, presenting him with the Notification form which he duly signed. Although the protocols stipulate that he must report to the Anti-Doping booth within 30 minutes of receiving notice, the reality of the many other immediate obligations being made of the stage winner and new GC holder meant that it took 60mins. For that hour, I followed Tejay everywhere, barely two feet behind him, watching his every move for anything untoward. While I didn’t actually join him on the podium nor was my big head over his shoulder during media interviews, I was there, watching him like a hawk.
After the press conference, I was finally able to escort the friendly American rider to the Anti-Doping vehicle where the other UCI officials took-over. I waited outside for about 10mins. Tejay exited and I entered. “Did you witness anything suspicious?” I was asked.
“No, nothing at all.” I replied.
“Did you have a good time?”
“Yes, very much.”
“Good. Thank you for your help, we appreciate it greatly” I was told and off I went.
A few minutes later and free of my UCI credentials, I found Tejay, congratulated him on his victory and asked for a picture which he was happy to pose for.
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Drugs in sport, all sport, is a problem which needs to be addressed on many fronts and will take a long time to control, if ever. In cycling, drugs and doping have marred the sport on many occasions, destroyed the careers of many racers and shattered the support for pro racing of many, many fans. I can’t comment on the effectiveness of recent efforts by the UCI, but the governing body of cycling is confident that positive strides are being made to reduce the role of drugs in our sport. While my role at yesterday’s event was a very small one, I was proud to do my part while enjoying a wonderful day at a spectacular race.
