ITA responds to Adam Hansen's criticism of data passport
The International Testing Agency (ITA) has responded to criticism from CPA chairman Adam Hansen regarding the plans for a data passport. Hansen recently raised several questions about this new method of detecting doping use. However, according to the anti-doping organization ITA, Hansen’s concerns are unfounded.
In the podcast of cycling website Domestique, Hansen previously spoke about the new detection method, which is still in its infancy. “What they will be testing this year is power data. Riders must submit all relevant power data, and it will all be checked. If irregularities are detected, more targeted tests will be conducted, or perhaps this could even lead to sanctions in the future,” the former rider outlined.
“They are currently testing this with four teams, but our position (from the CPA, ed.) is very clear: we are 100% against this. And so are the riders. Okay, it’s just a test. It’s voluntary, but my question is: what will happen if a rider does not submit their power data? Will this count as a missed test?”
'How do we really know what riders are doing?'
Hansen sees more issues, especially compared to the biological passport. “Your blood values remain very stable, so a biological passport is not a bad idea. The problem with power data: how do we really know what riders are doing? What if a coach instructs you to train at 80% for three weeks? And what if the next day you have to ride at 120% for a short period?”
“How do they know what a rider is doing without insight into coaches’ training programs? There are so many factors that might prevent a rider from submitting their training data consistently. Does that then count as a missed test? That is very serious and only adds more stress for cyclists. It’s too much, and also the reason why young riders get burnout. They can no longer keep up.”
ITA response
The ITA has now responded to Hansen’s criticism in BikeRadar. “Most of the comments and ‘unanswered questions’ around the project have actually been addressed from the start,” they said.
The organization first points out that they are still in a two-year trial phase. The trial currently only aims to ‘explore whether power data can be used as a possible indicator for doping’. The method will then only be used if it ‘proves reliable’.
Hansen’s argument that riders cannot always submit their training data is rejected by the ITA. The organization states that ‘power data forms the core of professional road cycling’ and is already ‘extensively analyzed’ by riders and teams to monitor and improve performance. Moreover, they take a long-term view. If data from a single training session is missing, for example due to a lost bike computer, this will not automatically be flagged as suspicious.
The ITA further points out that the data passport—should it be used—will never stand alone. It will serve exclusively as a ‘supplementary tool to identify possible indicators of doping’. Riders therefore need not fear sanctions based on exceptional power data that deviates from previous performances.
