The UCI has responded to criticism by the Movement For Credible Cycling (MPCC) of its lack of commitment to combating doping, in a letter recently sent to UCI President David Lapartiento, in particular after the revelations of Operation Adelas, blood It urged the sport's governing body to do more against the "mafia" suspected of doping, and said the UCI shared its concerns with the MPCC and is exploring new means to strengthen anti-doping in cycling.

"The International Cycling Union (UCI), which is regularly recognized by the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) and other organizations for its commitment to the fight against doping, fully shares the MPCC's concerns and the MPCC is also committed to a more effective fight for a clean sport in wants," a UCI spokesperson told Cycling News.

Operation Oderus ("bloodletting" in English) is the name of the Austrian-German investigation into a doping ring that was uncovered after the Austrian Federal Criminal Police Agency raided a clinic in Erfurt, Germany, following the Nordic Ski World Championships.

The doping ring was allegedly conducted by German physician Mark Schmidt, a former team doctor for Gerolsteiner and Milram. German authorities later confirmed that 21 athletes from five different sports and eight different countries were under investigation for blood doping.

Stefan Denifle, who was under contract to the CCC team at the time, was the first cyclist to confess to blood doping as part of the investigation. He reported that his biological passport had no "red flags."

In March, Georg Preidler (who belongs to Groupama-FDJ) became the next cyclist to admit to blood doping. He told the Kronen Zeiting newspaper, "I have drawn blood, but I have never put it back."

The UCI suspended Denfil and Priedler for four years after they confessed to their involvement in the Adelas operation. Pridler was charged with fraud in connection with his testimony in the "Operation Adelus" doping investigation, according to a report by the Austrian News Agency. Denfil could face jail time if convicted of fraudulently obtaining funds from sponsors during doping.

The UCI also suspended Kristijan Dulasek, Kristijan Koren, Borut Bozic, and Alessandro Petacchi in connection with this case.

"In particular, the Adelrath case, which is of legitimate concern to all parties, has convinced the UCI to seek new means to strengthen the fight against anti-doping in cycling. This reflection is reflected, for example, in discussions initiated to study the potential benefits of future cooperation with the International Testing Agency (ITA), a spokesman told Cycling News.

"We would like to emphasize that the UCI has sanctioned several individuals active at the highest level as part of its work with Adelrath by sharing information with the authorities in charge of the investigation.

In its letter, the MPCC urged the UCI to combat what it called the "doping mafia protocol," in which alleged athletes may have escaped detection by having blood transfusions on the morning of the race day and having blood drawn directly after the race, close to the start and finish of the event The committee called for blood tests to be conducted at the start and finish of the competition.

He also asked the UCI to conduct more out-of-competition blood tests, plastic testing of blood samples for possible transfusions, and to investigate the alleged use of AICAR, an experimental drug banned as a performance enhancing drug.

The MPCC stated that the request for improved blood testing was based on information provided by Plydler after Operation Adelrath. The banned players spoke with Iwan Spekenbrink and Marc Madiot, directors of Team Sunweb and Groupama-FDJ.

The UCI believes that the Biological Passport, which records and monitors athletes' blood profiles over a period of time, has been effective in the fight against doping since its introduction in 2008. However, the program has been criticized for its limitations and legal and scientific flaws.

"The UCI would also like to reiterate that the blood tests conducted as part of the Biological Passport (which the MPCC has proposed that special efforts be made) have led to sanctions being imposed on 24 athletes to date."

A UCI spokesman said, "The Passport data We must not forget that the interpretation of the data contributes greatly to the implementation of targeted inspections."

The UCI reiterated that based on the information and documentation received from the Austrian police on Operation Adelas, it has requested the Cycling Anti-Doping Foundation (CADF) to retest samples taken in 2016 and 2017. We believe that the success of the anti-doping fight depends on the cooperation of all parties, especially the sharing of resources and information.

"Like the MPCC, we are asking all parties to provide us with all the information they have; the UCI will work with all parties in the fight for clean sport. Above all, the UCI will remain the driving force in this fight and the organization that ensures the credibility and attractiveness of our sport," said a UCI spokesperson.

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