The members of the MPCC Board took part in a video meeting on 11th December 2020. Roger Legeay, President of the Movement, praised the motivation and the tenacious engagement of its members at the end of a special year 2020.
Corticosteroids: we’re moving forward!
One of the main topics of the Board meeting was the prohibition by the UCI of corticosteroids use. This prohibition, initially planned for 1st January 2019, has still not been enforced as of today. The fight against corticosteroids usage has been the banner of MPCC for numerous years. MPCC’s internal rules, since their creation, followed the same path. For thirteen years now, the members of the movement have been annoyed to see that they have been on their own when it comes to committing to strict and transparent rules on cortisol levels. WADA’s Executive Committee recently decided to prohibit any injectable form of glucocorticosteroids usage starting 1st January 2022. This is a real step ahead, praised by MPCC on its whole. The movement will nevertheless keep on carrying cortisol tests in 2021 during the wait.
Concerning the current year, MPCC carried 449 cortisol level tests during the season, all of which came clear of any anomaly. Broadly speaking, the movement highlights the fact that every MPCC team committed to the internal rules of the MPCC.
Ketones: it’s stalling!
The concerns of the members of the MPCC Board about the misuse of corticosteroids are as strong as the concerns about the usage, on clear sight, of ketones. On this subject, we can only observe baby steps ahead. UCI, through the voice of its Medical Director, confirmed to our movement that it advised not to use ketones: this is a good start. As of today, ketones are not part of the UCI list of prohibited substances and methods. On own their side, members of the MPCC, following the advice of their doctors, decided to commit to not using ketones and asked, following the corticosteroids path, not to be left alone in this strict commitment. Considering that ketones can enhance performance but can also damage the health of the riders because of the potential side effect, this substance is a problem per se, and will continue to be so in the future if no decision is taken.
MPCC does not wish to see cycling viewed as a sport in which one can use dangerous substances. The Movement is also surprised by the absence of a consensus on the topic. Thus, MPCC will submit a formal request to WADA on the subject. Adding ketones to the WADA Monitoring Program would facilitate a potential consensus. Though, MPCC is glad to see a study on ecdysteroids being added to the Monitoring Program this year, as the members of the movement have been preoccupied by the possible usage of this substance in cycling.
Aderlass: we’re not making real progress!
The Board of the MPCC also raised questions about the Aderlass case. Contacted by MPCC to alert UCI about the significance of this case, President Mr. David Lappartient’s answer stated that CADF carried more than 800 tests on already tested samples from 2013 to 2019, and all of them came clear of any substances prohibited by WADA. M. Lappartient confesses that “no quick conclusion can be drawn from these tests. In any case, the totality of these samples will be preserved for potential future tests should circumstances so require”
MPCC acknowledges this situation but warns that it will stay cautious about this case that shed a harsh light on the difficulties encountered by our anti-doping system to stay in touch with reality.
MPCC and its members, who amounts for 68% of the first and second division teams, consider themselves to be legitimate whistleblowers: it has been one of the keystones of the movement since its creation. Though, MPCC must also ensure that this alert goes the distance. Reunited during the meeting of December 11th, the members of the Board proved determined to maintain this course.