02.08.12 - COMMENTS OF CANADIAN CYCLING ASSOCIATION ON POSITIVE DOPING INFRACTION

CCES Suspends Benjamin Martel for Two Years

(Ottawa, ON – February 08, 2012) The Canadian Cycling Association (CCA) has been advised by the Canadian Centre for Ethics in Sport (CCES) that another participant in the Québec Provincial Road Race Championships, held on August 28, 2011, Benjamin Martel, has been sanctioned for the presence of the banned substance testosterone.

Mr. Martel chose to have a hearing in his case which resulted in the process being very time consuming. The decision of the Sport Dispute Resolution Centre of Canada adjudicator was provided on January 23, 2012.

John Tolkamp, President of the CCA noted; “This case of doping further highlights the need for continued testing and education. We must continue to educate the young riders on the need to Race Clean and be proud of their accomplishments in that vain while being vigilant towards those that will take short cuts”.

“We remain concerned that any rider would resort to doping and know that we need to focus testing at all levels,” said CCA Chief Executive Officer and Secretary General Greg Mathieu. “As we have said previously, cheaters need to know that the CCA and CCES are collaborating to ensure testing at all levels and types of races to rid our sport of this menace”.

The CCA remains firmly and adamantly opposed to all forms of doping and has taken strong measures to monitor, test and educate athletes in the sport.

In accordance with the Canadian Anti-doping Policy the CCES has imposed a two-year ban from competition on Mr. Martel effective August 28, 2011 to August 28, 2013.

Any persons with knowledge of doping activities may contact the Canadian Centre for Ethics in Sport at: (1-800-710-CCES) or by email at intelligence@cces.ca.