I don't know that much about cost, etc.. for drug testing but I think it runs in the $200-$300 range per. I used to race with a pro licesnce but now am a regular, local, Cat 1 racer, technically an amature.
I have been tested twice over the last 6-months out of competition (at my house). I don't know of any other amature in the area who has been tested, so I find it interesting....
I was tested for both blood and urine and got my 'congrats you are clean' letter back.
It is good to see they are testing non-pros and I did feel like a cool pro again becuse I was randomly selected (but I don't think there is anything random about it). Their visit did eat up 3-hours of my morning but they also did have to deal with my 2-kids running all over the place.
I am guessing that it must have been a $500 trip to my house. There were 2-guys here for 3-hours and then the cost of actually testing the blood and urine.
I came away with a few thoughts:
1. I really wish they would make the experience more benefical to the athlete. It would have been great to get a complete blood work up back from them just for my health benefit.
2. I really don't think there is anything random about it. Somone 'called in' on me or I was suspicious by association.
3. They shouldn't be as interested in a late 30's ex-pro, they should focus on the young up and coming guys who are trying to make it as a pro. It is a good lesson on what it is like to be a pro cyclist.
Some people will do anything to win. I'm all for amateur testing. I want to believe the guys who win got there fairly, because in this sport, drugs make a HUGE difference.
Maybe it's not written exactly correct, but your thought #2 "I was suspicious by association" infers that you hang out with dopers.
I am sure that masters do dope too. I guess I am more concerend with the guys who are the future of the sport. There are a lot of 20-something guys who are doing all the races and trips they can in the hopes of getting a pro contract. I think that it is a good experience for them to see the procedures and what it is like to get tested...and to think about what they may be putting into their system (there are a lot of tained suplements, etc. out there).
I am sure that there are masters who have the money, time and are serious enough about racing age group to dope.....that is wrong on so many levels I don't even know where to start!
I think you may have read too much into my 2nd point. It is not like I hang out with guys who are doping. I have ridden and trained with guys who have had some problems in the past..... I just didn't know of many more amatures in the area who have been trested out of competition. I am not sure why else USADA showed up at my door.
Anyway, it is good to see testing and It would be good to see more. It feels like we are at the end of an era. The peolton is cleaning up, you can race at the higest level of the sport clean (just look at Marco Pinotti and Greg Henderson).
After reading this article do you think 'random' applies to us in the ACA? Sounds like Chuck was singled out by jealous co-competitors.......hats off to him for making the choice to ride cleanly.
I do not blame doping for not finishing first in local races but do wonder who, after acquiring the pro's bikes/wheels/training/wind tunnel tests/VO2 and lactate coaching have decided to add on the injections.
---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: SportsBaseOnline
Date: Wed, Jun 30, 2010 at 10:18 PM
Subject: USADA Drug Testing
To: SBO Event Participants
TO ALL PROS
The United States Anti Doping Agency (USADA) will be conducting random drug tests on Sunday. Racers to be tested will be identified immediately after crossing the finish line and will be assigned a chaperone. Thank you in advance for your cooperation.
Thank you for using SportsBaseOnline.
SportsBaseOnline has a relentess focus and tireless drive to provide event directors and athletes with unmatched customer service, event management and access to best event practices.
9 Comments
Drug Tests
Submitted by Dan Porter (not verified) on
I'd like to see the ACA do this a few times a year. I know it's expensive etc.......I'd still like to see it.
Points: 3
Cost Per Test? How much does
Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on
Cost Per Test?
How much does one drug test cost to check for all banned substances?
Remeber Viagra, Rogane and Marijuana are on the list. So a young and old recreational riders could be "caught"...
Points: 4
Amature Testing
Submitted by Chuck Coyle (not verified) on
I don't know that much about cost, etc.. for drug testing but I think it runs in the $200-$300 range per. I used to race with a pro licesnce but now am a regular, local, Cat 1 racer, technically an amature.
I have been tested twice over the last 6-months out of competition (at my house). I don't know of any other amature in the area who has been tested, so I find it interesting....
I was tested for both blood and urine and got my 'congrats you are clean' letter back.
It is good to see they are testing non-pros and I did feel like a cool pro again becuse I was randomly selected (but I don't think there is anything random about it). Their visit did eat up 3-hours of my morning but they also did have to deal with my 2-kids running all over the place.
I am guessing that it must have been a $500 trip to my house. There were 2-guys here for 3-hours and then the cost of actually testing the blood and urine.
I came away with a few thoughts:
1. I really wish they would make the experience more benefical to the athlete. It would have been great to get a complete blood work up back from them just for my health benefit.
2. I really don't think there is anything random about it. Somone 'called in' on me or I was suspicious by association.
3. They shouldn't be as interested in a late 30's ex-pro, they should focus on the young up and coming guys who are trying to make it as a pro. It is a good lesson on what it is like to be a pro cyclist.
Points: 0
masters racers dope too
Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on
Chuck, I think your thought #3 regarding testing masters racers is off target:
http://www.cyclingnews.com/news/williams-handed-two-year-ban-by-usada
Some people will do anything to win. I'm all for amateur testing. I want to believe the guys who win got there fairly, because in this sport, drugs make a HUGE difference.
Maybe it's not written exactly correct, but your thought #2 "I was suspicious by association" infers that you hang out with dopers.
Points: 2
Masters
Submitted by Chuck (not verified) on
I am sure that masters do dope too. I guess I am more concerend with the guys who are the future of the sport. There are a lot of 20-something guys who are doing all the races and trips they can in the hopes of getting a pro contract. I think that it is a good experience for them to see the procedures and what it is like to get tested...and to think about what they may be putting into their system (there are a lot of tained suplements, etc. out there).
I am sure that there are masters who have the money, time and are serious enough about racing age group to dope.....that is wrong on so many levels I don't even know where to start!
I think you may have read too much into my 2nd point. It is not like I hang out with guys who are doping. I have ridden and trained with guys who have had some problems in the past..... I just didn't know of many more amatures in the area who have been trested out of competition. I am not sure why else USADA showed up at my door.
Anyway, it is good to see testing and It would be good to see more. It feels like we are at the end of an era. The peolton is cleaning up, you can race at the higest level of the sport clean (just look at Marco Pinotti and Greg Henderson).
Points: 1
877-PLAY-CLEAN
Submitted by crispi03 (not verified) on
http://www.mountainbike.com/training-nutrition/training-fitness/doper-ne...
After reading this article do you think 'random' applies to us in the ACA? Sounds like Chuck was singled out by jealous co-competitors.......hats off to him for making the choice to ride cleanly.
I do not blame doping for not finishing first in local races but do wonder who, after acquiring the pro's bikes/wheels/training/wind tunnel tests/VO2 and lactate coaching have decided to add on the injections.
Points: 2
Email
Submitted by David on
Here is the email that was sent out.
---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: SportsBaseOnline
Date: Wed, Jun 30, 2010 at 10:18 PM
Subject: USADA Drug Testing
To: SBO Event Participants
TO ALL PROS
The United States Anti Doping Agency (USADA) will be conducting random drug tests on Sunday. Racers to be tested will be identified immediately after crossing the finish line and will be assigned a chaperone. Thank you in advance for your cooperation.
Thank you for using SportsBaseOnline.
SportsBaseOnline has a relentess focus and tireless drive to provide event directors and athletes with unmatched customer service, event management and access to best event practices.
Points: 1
if they wanted to catch the
Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on
if they wanted to catch the dopers, they shouldn't have put up a billboard that says "We're testing at the finish! Make sure you're "prepared"!".
Points: 1
I Like It
Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on
So when I come in last by an hour will I be tested :-) I like it. It's sad to think an amateur would cheat but some people will do anything to win.
Points: 2