Staff at Team Sky will have to sign a statement confirming no previous or present involvement in doping or be fired.
Anyone subsequently found guilty of doping infractions will also lose their jobs. All riders and staff will be interviewed in the weeks ahead.
The British team tonight issued a statement reaffirming its zero tolerance policy to doping in the wake of the Lance Armstrong scandal.
Armstrong was stripped of his seven Tour de France titles earlier this month by the US Anti-Doping Agency (USADA) after being found guilty of leading “the most sophisticated, professionalised and successful doping programme sport has ever seen.”
A statement issued by Team Sky tonight reads:
“Team Sky has had a clear position on doping from the very start. We are a clean team and have shown it is possible to win clean.
“We want a team in which riders are free of the risks of doping and in which fans – new and old – can believe without any doubt or hesitation.
“There is no place in Team Sky for those with an involvement in doping, whether past or present. This applies to management, support staff and riders.
“Like others, we have been shocked by recent revelations of systemic doping in cycling’s past. So we have taken steps to reaffirm our commitment to being a clean team.
“Today the riders, staff and management of Team Sky entered their annual end-of-season camp, where we review the season, plan the year ahead, and look to the future.
“At its start, Team Principal Dave Brailsford re-stated our stance on doping and called on the riders, staff and management to reaffirm their own personal commitment to our position.
“Over the coming weeks, we will talk individually with each team member and ask everyone, at every level of the team, to sign up to a clear written policy, confirming that they have no past or present involvement in doping.
“Should anyone choose not to sign up to our clear policy they will have to leave the team, as will anyone who does sign but is subsequently found to be in breach.
“We are making this statement because we believe it is important to be open about the steps we are taking. However, we do not intend to give a running commentary on this or to discuss any individual at this time.
“By reaffirming Team Sky’s position on doping, we aim to play our part in a clean future for cycling in which everyone can have confidence in the sport.
