International Cycling Union rejects French agency's collaboration request

The International Cycling Union (UCI) has rejected a proposal by the French Anti-Doping Agency (AFLD) to collaborate on drugs tests during next month's Paris-Nice stage race.                                           

In a letter sent to AFLD counterpart Pierre Bordry, of which Reuters obtained a copy on Friday, UCI president Pat McQuaid wrote he could not see the interest in such a partnership.                                           

"I do not think your proposal will lead to an improvement in the fight against doping," McQuaid said.                                           

"According to the World Anti-Doping code, international sporting events have to be controlled by the International Federations.                                           

"That is the case for Paris-Nice, that will fall under the UCI's guidance. The UCI has planned to carry out 95 anti-doping tests."                                           

The organisations have been at loggerheads since Bordry accused UCI drugs testers of favouring Spaniard Alberto Contador''s Astana team during last year's Tour de France.                                           

McQuaid continued: "Do you think it would be appropriate to accept this proposal since multiple attempts have shown that we can fear from such a collaboration with AFLD?                                           

"Such as: the lack of random out of competition tests in France"                                           

The Irishman added that while the UCI had carried out 190 out-of-competition tests in the run up to the 2009 Tour, AFLD had carried out only 13, with six of them being on French riders they can test all year around.                                           

Last month, the UCI said they had agreed with Tour de France organisers to drop the AFLD from this year's race.                                           

The Paris-Nice event, in which Contador is expected to compete, runs from March 7-14.