Britain's "anti-doping system is working" - British Cycling president Bob Howden
British Cycling president Bob Howden says that the anti-doping measures are working, despite three amateur doping violations since December
- (opens in new tab)
- (opens in new tab)
- (opens in new tab)
- Sign up to our newsletter Newsletter

British Cycling president Bob Howden says that Rob Townsend’s positive test for doping is proof that anti-doping measures are working.
Townsend, 46, is banned from all sporting competition until October 2019 following ruling by UK Anti-Doping authority, after the Team Swift rider testing positive for the stimulant modafinil in a 100-mile time trial in September.
His suspension follows that of Andrew Hastings, while Gabriel Evans is awaiting his sanction after admitting using EPO during the Junior 10-mile Championships in 2015.
>>> Cycling Time Trials planning more testing after latest doping positive
Howden, who received an OBE in the New Year’s Honours list, was saddened by the latest doping case to hit the sport – in particular its amateur ranks – but decided to highlight the positive preventive work.
“This case highlights the clear position that UKAD and British Cycling share – that banned substances have no place in sport and riders caught with banned substances in their system will not be allowed to compete,” Howden said.
“British Cycling’s anti-doping culture is strong and we work closely with UKAD to deter all forms of doping and ensure that anyone falling foul of the rules is caught.
>>> Banned cyclist Robin Townsend claims drink was spiked by long-time rival before time trial
“I am saddened by any such instance, but the anti-doping system is working and we can take heart from that.
“British Cycling keeps its anti-doping work under regular review and our anti-doping commission will consider any implications from this case when it next meets in early February.”
Once Evans’ sanction is confirmed – originally due to be confirmed in early January – there will be four British cyclists on the banned list: Evans, Townsend, Hastings and Jason White.
Cycling Time Trials National Secretary Nick Sharpe told CW that the organisation is concerned by the number of positive tests in its events, but that it does not foresee any more doping cases coming to light.
Thank you for reading 10 articles this month* Join now for unlimited access
Enjoy your first month for just £1 / $1 / €1
*Read 5 free articles per month without a subscription
Join now for unlimited access
Try first month for just £1 / $1 / €1
Chris first started writing for Cycling Weekly in 2013 on work experience and has since become a regular name in the magazine and on the website. Reporting from races, long interviews with riders from the peloton and riding features drive his love of writing about all things two wheels.
Probably a bit too obsessed with mountains, he was previously found playing and guiding in the Canadian Rockies, and now mostly lives in the Val d’Aran in the Spanish Pyrenees where he’s a ski instructor in the winter and cycling guide in the summer. He almost certainly holds the record for the most number of interviews conducted from snowy mountains.
-
-
Bikes of the Atlas Mountain Race 2023: from comfort gravellers to speed weapons, here’s what caught our eye
Covering 1,300km / 800mi of Morocco’s gravel roads and mountain passes, the Atlas Mountain Race demands a tech-heavy approach for its 3+ days of bikepacking racing
By Stefan Abram • Published
-
British champion Cameron Mason hoping for rain at Cyclo-cross World Championships
British national champion says patience will be the key in what’s expected to be a fast race in Hoogerheide, the Netherlands
By Tom Thewlis • Published
-
Spanish police crack down on doping ring, former Kelme coach questioned
Miguel Ángel López denies any involvement in statement
By Adam Becket • Last updated
-
UCI suspends continental team's licence due to doping investigation
W52-FC Porto cannot compete in any races after an investigation conducted by the Anti-Doping Authority of Portugal
By Ryan Dabbs • Last updated
-
Trial begins into French doctor and two others accused of attempting to dope cyclists
Bernand Sainz has been involved in cycling circles for the best part of six decades
By Chris Marshall-Bell • Published
-
Johan Bruyneel: 'Lance Armstrong was the perfect target to be sacrificed' to clean up cycling
The former rider and team boss says in his era the choice was 'either you adapt and you dope yourself, or you disappear'
By Jonny Long • Published
-
British Paralympic hopeful cyclist banned for three years for doping offence
Erin McBride, who joined the British Cycling team after switching from athletics this year, tested positive for a banned substance
By Alex Ballinger • Published
-
Two Italian cyclists banned following doping violations
One was an amateur time trial champion
By Jonny Long • Published
-
German former rider receives nine year doping ban and stripped of 11 years worth of results
Björn Thurau retired from racing at the end of 2019
By Tim Bonville-Ginn • Published
-
Doping ban for former Trek-Segafredo rider upheld after his appeal fails
The Court of Arbitration for Sport upheld the four-year ban for the 36-year-old
By Alex Ballinger • Last updated