November 14/97 9:27 am - `Cross nationals, Bicycle Conference, Blood Testing

Posted by Editor on 11/14/97
 

`Cross Nationals  In the event of a postal strike, the organizer had made alternate arrangements for riders wishing to get their entries in before the early fee cutoff ($25 if postmarked by November 19th, $30 after). Entries will be accepted for early registration up to November 24th, provided they are either e-mailed or faxed to the organizer, or submitted via the electronic entry on the National Cyclo-cross website   Bicycle Conference  The Ontario Cycling Association will be holding its 3rd annual Conference on Cycling Saturday, November 22nd in Kingston (in conjunction with the Association‚s Annual General Meeting). The Conference will feature Workshops on Cycling Education, Advocacy and Touring issues, and is open to both OCA members and non-members. Contact the OCA to register: (416) 426-7242/7349 (fax).   More Blood Testing  The UCI has introduced blood testing to Cyclo-cross, making the practice standard across all aspects of the sport (road, track, mountain bike, `cross). Testing will take place at the World cup events and (we presume) the World Championships. Hematocriet levels above 50% are grounds for suspension, and there have been a number of suspensions so far this season. By testing, the UCI hopes to cut down on the use of EPO, which boosts red blood cell counts (increasing oxygen delivery to the muscles), and has been linked to the deaths of a number of young riders.