Kazakhstan’s National Anti-Doping Center (KazNADC) and the Kazakhstan Cycling Federation (KCF) will introduce biometric passport monitoring of domestic professional cyclists from 2015. It will apply to all domestic cyclists from Continental Team Astana, Vino 4ever, Track Team Astana, and also Astana Pro Team while on Kazakh soil.

Samples will be collected from leading cyclists of all ages within regional and national teams in all disciplines throughout the domestic racing calendar, read a 22 October statement published on the Astana Pro Team’s internet site. Under the agreement with KazNADC, information will also be shared with other anti-doping agencies during regional, national and international competitions. Training workshops will also be held by KazNADC and KCF representatives.

“In Kazakhstan in 2015 we will introduce the world’s most advanced anti-doping system together with KazNADC, a fully-equipped laboratory with the latest technology, and with the support of international experts”, said KCF Executive Director Dmitriy Muravyev. “Large-scale testing for riders of all ages, biometric passports and educational seminars are just a part of our long-term strategic anti-doping program, and we are counting on the support of the athletic community in its implementation”.

KazNADC was established in 2013 at the request of the World Anti-Doping Agency. KazNADC’s testing facility is one of 32 WADA-accredited anti-doping laboratories worldwide. The WADA-accredited Central Asian Anti-Doping Center (RADOCA) is co-located with KazNADC’s laboratory, and operates all over Central Asia, Iran, Pakistan and Mongolia.