UCI planning to open new doping hotline for 'whistle blowing' cyclists

Johannesburg, Nov. 14 (ANI): International Cycling Union (UCI) has said that it is planning to open a doping hotline for cyclists who want to blow the whistle on fellow riders.

"During the coming weeks... the UCI will be looking into establishing a new open line - a confidential 'hotline'," Sports24 quoted Pat McQuaid, head of the sport's world governing body as saying in an online statement on the UCI website.

McQuaid also said that more needed to be done "to ensure that the UCI is as accessible as possible, and in particular to you the riders, should you wish to discuss issues or concerns relating to doping."

He said that though it would take time to build trust in the telephone hotline, he was "confident that, with the best intentions from both sides, we can build that trust" and "accelerate the change in culture that we need in our sport."

The move, also announced on cycling website cyclingnews.com, comes after a turbulent ride for the sport's governing body in recent months over the Lance Armstrong scandal. (ANI)