mattm

The extra $100 is the UCI fee though, that's optional. (Required if you want to race UCI of course, but not required for everyone who just wants to race)

Ttoc6

Does anyone have any sort of idea how much one test costs? I have no idea where to even start looking for that data. WHo does the testing? Is there a bulk discount? How long from collection to result?

Ygduf

they've popped 2 guys I have raced against. Like, been in breaks with and lost to. I don't mind paying.

We also live where houses are $1700/sqft, so I fear that our perspective on $25 is different than others. I personally spend plenty of food, tires, chains, RACES, etc...

$25 is the amount I pay to go race at the early birds where there are no prizes and they don't put results online, or even keep track.

Hermes

Hermes

Oh boy..Chris Froome failed a drugs test during Vuelta a Espana - CNN

Doge

I register more than one racer. I'm fine with the fees although I've expresses my dislike of how they are trying to stop it. I'm encouraged that I'm starting to see something happen.

furiousferret

Albuterol 108 mcg per puff
(dosing 90 mcg of salbutamol)
ProAir, Proventil, Ventolin
1-2 puffs every 4 hours as needed for wheezing
Do not take more than 8 puffs in 12 hours

https://www.usada.org/substances/pro...ohibited-list/

Prior to getting my new medication stack, I used to go over 8 all the time; sometimes within 4 hours. I bet a lot of riders have as well. Its not that hard if you're asthmatic but its hard to tell who out there in a grand tour is asthmatic and who is 'asthmatic' since its well known they're all told by the race directors they're 'asthmatic'.

rubiksoval

I think nationals is a given for testing, but they were doing that long before any surcharges.

I'm fine with paying (a little) extra if everyone else is. I'm not fine with being targeted for no apparent reason. Doesn't seem like usac has ever come up with said reason.

Doge

And have ED and low-T and likely diabetic and...

The TUE count is way down from where it was, but I remember reading when it was up how based on percent of TUEs that the pro riders were is way "worse" conditions than the general public.

Racer Ex 

If folks want testing, everyone should pay the same.

TheKillerPenguin

I can see how pushing your cardio limit all the time can lead to at the least exercise induced asthma, and it doesn't surprise me that rates of asthma are high in elite endurance athletes.

kensuf

I've been told the expense is not the cost of the test itself, but maintaining a proper chain of custody over a sample.

A year after I switched teams, I found out a former teammate had been doping. We started racing together as 4's, and we were 3's when I left. His former ex-girlfriend outed him for using HGH, and for starting when he was a 4. He was a friend that I had turned myself inside/out for on more than one occasion. To think he felt he needed stuff as a 4 is pretty sad.

topflightpro

My guess is that the rationale for charging more to Cat 1s is because there is generally more money on the line in each race, so there is more perceived incentive to try to boost performance through synthetic means than someone chasing a $50 purse. Now, if you are a Cat 1 and only racing Masters events, that's often not the case.

Still, this kind of ties back to our discussions on prizes and purse, with many arguing that only the P/1/2 races should actually offer prize money to the winners.

mattm

And how do you guys square this (raising USAC license fees for everyone) with getting more people in to the sport?

TheKillerPenguin

I could see it working for cat 3 and above. Cat 4 you're still getting your beak wet. Cat 3 well, you are the category most subject to the sunken cost fallacy so like, what's another 25 bucks?

Also the $$$ pool is way larger. Way more 3's and 2's than there are 1's. Keep the fee at $25 and test that much more, which would be awesome! Or reduce the fee to like $10 and keep testing the same.

Doge

Paying proportionately to how much someone cares might be a more fair solution.

In the movie documentary Icarus a WADA lady talks about how all the spectators were cheated out of seeing fair competition. This has been repeated in other places. Maybe the spectators should pay.
I think that is a bit of an indication of how in touch WADA is (or how out of touch I am).

Doge

Anyone know of a Cat 1 non-master/non junior that has been busted?

topflightpro

What spectators?

You mean your spouse and children, whom you drag to the race to cheer you on?

Doge

That was my point. I think the WADA lady was out of touch. It is the competitor that wants to feel everything was fair (other than cycling mom and dad). And to fix it, it will cost way more than $25/per. More like what TSA charges per passenger per trip to spend 30 sec with you - $15/race maybe?

There is not enough money in that (just the racers) pool to fix it.
And the spectators at the entertainment level - prefer the doped competition IMO, from football head hits to body building. Spectators like what the dope does.

While I am encouraged by some of the busting I see, I think if it is really that important, just avoid racing at that level.

gsteinb

yes

Doge

Who?

gsteinb

https://www.usada.org/us-cycling-ath...ule-violation/

gsteinb

I actually can drag up a pretty good list without much effort

Doge

Not asking you to do a lot of work, - your link was 1 in 2013 and I trust as you say, there are more. If they come <1/year or so, that is not the rate I'm seeing it in masters.

In your link that ~20 year old Cat 1 doping maybe had (guessing) pro aspirations and is still in that "hope" category, like doping juniors.
He came back and won in 2015 after two years off, I expect his pro opportunity is gone. Doping for a younger Cat 1 is a huge gamble while a 60+ year old doping track dentist is still a dentist.

gsteinb

Doping is no gamble, certainly not a huge one. there's hardly any testing. He's a guy from the DR who worked in a bike shop, and made most of his money getting paid doing local NYC races. What risk is there?