7 companies sponsors join MPCC
IAM SA, Argos Energie, Endura, NetApp, the Belgian National Lottery and Française des Jeux. Michel Thetaz, in his capacity as Director President of IAM SA, hopes
"that this section will grow quickly and it will have many other sponsors professional teams and/or institutional sponsors, so it has a real representation, and actively participates in the credibility of cycling".
February 7th : MPCC general assembly
During the winter, MPCC has recorded numerous applications for membership
– 5 teams World Tour
– Pro-Continental teams 10
– 12 Continental teams
– 6 National Federations
– And the support of many associations and sponsors.
All these structures consider the internal regulations MPCC, much more stringent than international rules, is a practical solution to the crisis in cycling.
Indeed, managers who have the duty and the power to say « enough Doping » solemnly undertake to apply zero tolerance:
– To withdraw from the race any runner from the announcement of his positive test
– To initiate a dismissal for any rider suspended for more than 6 months
– Do not enter riders suspended for more than 6 months of facts or doping rule violation under Articles 2.1 to 2.8 of the World Anti-Doping Code for 24 months after the suspension, except for runners confess immediately (within 72 hours) or three riders penalized for breaches Geolocation system administration and management ADAMS doping
– A practice self-suspension for two positive controls in the last 12 months.
A meeting of doctors team leaders MPCC (25 present), was also organized to involve the medical staff teams to decisions.
As from 2007, MPCC, alone or with the support of national federations, will, in the context of health, unannounced inspections of cortisol.
MPCC has had to adapt its statutes to accommodate continental teams.
MPCC has also created three groups of members to provide decision-makers involved in cycling, the opportunity to participate directly and actively in the renewal of a credible cycling:
– « Members Sponsors »
– « Members Organizers »
– And « Members Federations. »
Each group « Members » (from 10 members) shall have one vote at the general meeting and thus participate in the life of MPCC.
As stipulated in the statutes MPCC since its inception, it was decided to initiate actions for damages against other racers or people who would likely damage the image of cycling and its various partners.
And following the confession Lance Armstrong is asked our legal services to explore the possibility of engaging with all the stakeholders, an action for damages for breach of cycling’s image, for fraud or other head of prosecutions that could be used.
MPCC members solemnly request international bodies, WADA, IOC and UCI to work together and get to work to bring concrete solutions.
The 11 members of MPCC studied the applications for membership of the 27 applicant teams.
MPCC member teams were pronounced by secret ballot.
21 teams were registered as a member.
6 teams will remain as full members, subject to a probationary period until the next Annual General Meeting. These teams will benefit from the year 2013 to implement all the rules for our house rules.
The new Board of Directors is composed as follows:
Chair: Roger LEGEAY
Vice-Chair: Iwan Spekenbrink-Argos-Shimano (Ned)
Treasurer: Vincent Lavenu – AG2R La Mondiale-(Fra)
Assistant Treasurer: Marc-Lotto-Belisol SERGEANT-(Bel)
Secretary: Philippe SENMARTIN – Europcar – (Fra)
Assistant Secretary: Serge BEUCHERIE-IAM Cycling – (Sui)
Members: Yvon SANQUER-Cofidis-(F)
Jean-René BERNAUDEAU – Europcar – (Fra)
10 Teams WORLD TOUR:
AG2R La Mondiale (FRA)
SHIMANO ARGOS (NED)
ASTANA (KAS) probationary period
BLANCO PRO CYCLING (NED) probationary period
FDJ (FRA)
GARMIN SHARP (USA)
LOTTO BELISOL (BEL)
LAMPRE MERIDA (ITA) probationary period
ORICA GREEN EDGE (AUS)
VACANSOLEIL DCM (NED) probationary period
16 Teams Pro-Continental
ACCENT JOBS WANTY (Bel)
ANDRONI GIOCATTOLI (ITA) probationary period
BARDIANI CSF (ITA)
BRITAIN DRY ENVIRONMENT (FRA)
CAJA RURAL (ESP)
COFIDIS (FRA)
COLOMBIA Coldeportes (COL)
Crelan EUPHONY (BEL)
EUROPCAR (FRA)
CYCLING IAM (SUI)
KATUSHA (RUS) probationary period
MTN Qhubeka (RSA)
NETAPP ENDURA (GER)
NOVO NORDISK (USA)
SOJASUN (FRA)
TOPSPORT VLAANDEREN BEL)
12 Continental Teams
BIGMAT AUBER 93 (FRA)
COLOMBIA 4-72 (COL)
COLOR CODE BIOWANZE (BEL)
JELLY BELLY (USA)
APPLE Marseille (FRA)
OCBC SINGAPORE (SIN)
Optum (USA)
OSTER HUS – RIDLER (NOR)
PLUSSBANK (NOR)
Roubaix Lille Métropole (FRA)
VERANDAS WILLIMS (BEL)
WALLONIE BRUSSELS (BEL)
Marc Madiot : "We are no longer a vocal minority"
Including Orica-GreenEDGE, half the World Tour teams are MPCC members or applying to join it. Is it important ?
Even if our movement exists since 2007, we were nothing but a small entity until a few months. Today, 10 out of 18 World Tour teams is a good amount, especially with additional 15 Continental Pro teams and 12 Continental teams.
Then, yes ! I hope having 37 members in the MPCC will lead to a knock-on effect that could change a lot of things. If a vote was organized now, our group would win it !
Is the Armstrong case the only triggering factor for these numerous applications in the past few weeks ?
Armstrong caused a domino effect. Some managers – some riders too – spontaneously reacted. Some Federations or Leagues or several major races organizers also took a stand. But let’s be realistic: if truth hadn’t be told about Armstrong, we would be still be a vocal minority.
Didn’t Christian Prudhomme’s warning in October led team managers to opportunely join MPCC ?
If that’s what some may think about our values, we will quickly see it. No one is forced to join MPCC. If you do so, it must be for ethical reasons. For instance, ban steroids while racing.Nor UCI neither WADA rules compel us to do so. But using steroids for wrong reasons is doping. For MPCC members, there is no doubt about it. If some teams don’t comply with this rule,they will have to explain why et journalists will have to ask them why.
Is it important for you that riders wear the blue wristband to defend your point ?
Yes. I think it’s important. In the past, riders were often challenged as soon as they stand out. Now, they must keep their head up. ll the riders in our movement must be proud to stand by this: « I am clean and I say it ».There must be no reluctance: today, we are the ma-jo-ri-ty !
Orica Greenedge formally requests MPCC membership
« On behalf of the Orica GreenEDGE World Tour Team I would like to make a formal request to join the MPCC. By this decision we are making a commitment to be a part of the future clean cycling. We are currently conducting our own internal review by an independent ( Nicki Vance ) in this review we are expecting recommendations in the following area’s
- Anti Doping Education
- Code of Conduct
- Code of Ethics
- Rider and Staff Welfare
Orica GreenEDGE want to be part of a clean future and to be one of the leaders in facilitating this process. We understand that this is a difficult period for cycling and we feel that it is important that the Team’s engage in open discussion in relation to Zero Tolerance ». Shayne BANNAN, Team Manager
MPCC strengthens its speech
Why is having a slogan essential?
We were many to be really angry after the latest issues.
Our resolution had to come down to a few words: we’re fed up, that’s enough ! That is what the team managers in our movement want to convey together.
Is that only a rallying cry for the team managers?
No, it’s for everyone. Teams, sponsors… It mostly has to come from the riders, from our riders. They are the ones bringing this message around the world. A belief that there is hope. MPCC is only wondering about future. Doping, that’s enough ! Whatever happened before only concerns WADA, UCI, anti-doping agencies, CAS and states… For us, only future matters.
Through this philosophy, how loud are you willing to speak?
To establish a clear split with the past, we had to be stronger, even rougher, with anyone not willing to understand. Until now, it was only us, responsible people, acting by ourselves. We were a few teams gathering around common values and tangible commitments. Usually, people have to adjust their behavior to what they say. On the contrary, after 5 years, we now speak in compliance to our behavior.
Katusha requests MPCC membership
« As President of the Board of Directors of KATUSHA MANAGEMENT SA (Katusha), a company managing a professional cycling team domiciled in Geneva, Switzerland, I herewith would like to formally apply as a member of the MPCC.
Katusha was founded in 2009 and since 2010 has operated as a World Tour ProTeam with the International Cycling Union (UCI).
The UCI so far did not accept Katusha as a UCI ProTeam for 2013.
We are currently appealing against this UCI decision before the Court of Arbitration for Sport.
We herewith apply for a membership with the MPCC for the following reasons:
- to demonstrate our full commitment to the combat of any anti-doping measures;
- to give further guidance to all Katusha team members concerning personal behavior and the general combat of doping;
- to meet the most actual requirements as set by various tour operators and/or organizers.
Last but not least, we herewith confirm that we took note and read the Internal Rules of the Team members MPCC 2013
– and confirm that we will fully commit to your Internal Rules. »
Viatcheslav Ekimov
President of the board
Vacansoleil requests MPCC membership
Our team which started in 2009 is determined to engage in a fair sport. We want to work with teams and the Dutch Federation, find an answer to the temptation of doping.
Transparency and rigor in the rules with the teams MPCC can happen to a sport honest."
Daan LUIJKX. General Manager
Astana has formally requested MPCC membership
Damaging practices in the past have created problems for professional cycling’s future, placing the reputation, image and viability of the sport at serious risk. Neither the doping practices nor the environment that served to enable them can ever be allowed to happen again.
On the basis of trust and transparency, Pro Team Astana finds the MPCC Code of Conduct to be a credible, voluntary step towards protecting and reestablishing the positive, clean image of professional cycling.
We share the MPCC’s belief that managers and sponsors in professional cycling have the obligation and capacity to say no to doping, and call on the UCI to recognize the MPCC as a viable intermediary among teams, organizers and Cycling Federations."
Alexandr VINOKUROV, Astana General Manager
Roubaix Lille Metropole requests MPCC membership
Taking advantage of the new opportunity given to the third division professional teams to access your association and aware that the image of cycling is tarnished, we want to work with your organization’s work in the fight against doping.
Anxious to develop a policy of anti-doping, cycling team RLM wants to join the movement and agree to abide by the principles laid down by the internal rules of the MPCC.
We fully support the administrative duties related to team members and all the different procedures, including self-suspension from the team in the event of serious breaches of legislation on anti-doping.
For the direction of our cycling team RLM, it is imperative that all professional cycling teams take the necessary steps to demonstrate their commitment to fight together against the scourge of doping."
Daniel VERBRACKEL. General Manager.
AC 2000 formally supports MPCC
All team members AC 2000 are now adhering the MPCC and our association had to provide full support to the approach and philosophy of this movement.