CYCLING: UCI president Pat McQuaid has spoken out in favour of DNA testing this week, stating that those with an interest in the future of cycling would recognise the benefits of introducing the anti-doping procedure.
The measure is one currently under consideration by a number of bodies in the sport, including the professional teams' association, know as the AIGCP.
It has been proposed in the wake of the Operation Puerto affair this year, with such a data bank having the potential to match the blood bags seized to the DNA of professional riders, thus clearing clean riders and nabbing guilty ones.
Several top names in the sport spoke out against such testing recently, saying that it would represent an invasion of the their individual rights, but McQuaid told The Irish Times this week that there would be clear benefits. "Some of the riders have recently said that DNA testing is against their civil rights. I think they need to think a little bit (about the bigger picture) before they make statements such as that," he stated. "If it proves that they are not implicated in a doping affair, then they should be ready and willing to give samples for those purposes."
A major conference on the proposed testing will be held in Geneva today.
Several key positions on Cycling Ireland's Track Commission will be decided on Monday, with voting due to take place on the roles of chairman, secretary, treasurer and riders' representative at the agm.
The meeting will be held at 8pm at the West County Hotel in Chapelizod. The commission is calling on all those interested in ensuring the future success and development of track racing in Ireland to attend. Volunteers are also needed to help with the organisation and running of track events next year.
Meanwhile, CI's women's commission had their own agm and prize-giving last night at the Springfield Hotel in Leixlip. A number of topics were due to be covered, including a review of the 2006 season and plans for domestic and international competition in 2007.
The Bray Wheelers club turned a new chapter in its history when it officially opened a new headquarters off the Boghall Road last Saturday.
Club president Paddy Martin unveiled the commemorative plaque in front of many members, including a good number of its former top riders.
The club has a long history of success in the sport, with Bray Wheelers taking many international and domestic wins and representing Ireland at several Olympics.
