Last October, Modern Adventure Pro Cycling applied to join the Mouvement pour un Cyclisme Crédible (MPCC). Following the team’s official recognition as a UCI ProTeam, the MPCC Board of Directors has reviewed the application and decided to grant the team provisional membership.
Joining the MPCC is a voluntary step. Teams choose to commit to standards that go beyond the minimum rules set by the authorities, with the shared aim of protecting rider health, fairness, and the credibility of cycling. Membership is therefore not automatic, and each application is considered on its own merits.
As part of this process, the Board considered the fact that team manager George Hincapie and sporting director Bobby Julich publicly admitted anti-doping violations during their racing careers more than a decade ago. Although these events are in the past, they remain relevant given cycling’s history and the importance of rebuilding trust in the sport. As a result the MPCC board undertook additional due diligence in which team owner George Hincapie elaborated on his reasoning for their membership request:
“Joining the MPCC is important to me because it’s about more than just our team—it’s about the future of cycling. The sport has been damaged by doping scandals, and we have an opportunity to be part of rebuilding that trust. I witnessed firsthand the cultural shift in the sport many years ago, and I’ve seen both the damage that comes from turning a blind eye and the progress that’s possible when athletes choose integrity. By committing to the MPCC’s enhanced transparency standards, we’re proving that clean athletes can compete at the highest level and that credibility matters more than shortcuts. I want our team to stand for integrity and show the next generation of cyclists—one of whom happens to be my son—that there’s a better way forward for this sport we love.”
Team General Manager, Rich Hincapie also said: “We are fully committed to abiding by the rules and ethical principles set forth by the MPCC. As both an organization and a family, we are deeply motivated to do our part in advancing the sport of cycling with integrity and transparency. The Modern Adventure Pro Cycling Team represents our next venture into the business side of the sport—an opportunity to contribute meaningfully to its continued growth and positive evolution.”
After discussion, the Board decided to accept the team on a probationary basis, as all new member teams are. Modern Adventure Pro Cycling has committed to fully respecting MPCC rules and to operating with a high level of transparency. The MPCC will follow this membership with particular attention to ensure these commitments are upheld in practice.
The MPCC continues to believe that progress comes from responsibility and collective effort. By choosing to adhere to stricter standards and working together in an open and constructive way, teams can play an active role in strengthening the integrity of cycling.