Independently Verified

The Anti-Doping Science Institute (ADSI) independently administers Team Garmin-Slipstream’s testing program. We believe in total transparency in the testing process and welcome questions from the public on how the program works. The following outlines some of the most frequently asked questions:

• How exactly does the testing work?
• What is a biomarker and how does it help determine if someone is taking a banned substance?
• How do you keep track of so many riders and ensure they are all tested?
• How is testing conducted around the world?
• What is the Anti-Doping Science Institute (ADSI)?
• How does the relationship between Team Garmin-Slipstream and the ADSI work on a day-to-day basis?
• What happens when ADSI has a concern about the test results of one of your riders?
• What if a rider is sick?
• What if a rider needs a prescription? How does that impact his tests?

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How exactly does the testing work?
The testing program will be comprised of both blood and urine sampling and will focus on EPO, CERA and related drugs, but it will also include full screen testing for doping agents such as testosterone, cortisone, anabolic steroids, and masking agents. In addition, blood and steroid profiles will be used to detect longitudinal abnormalities and remove a rider from competition if suspicious results are found.

Analytical work will be performed by Anti-Doping Research, under contract to ADSI, as well as other labs selected by ADSI. This combines the best of traditional testing and longitudinal testing into one program. By participating in this testing regimen, Garmin-Slipstream’s intention is to simply prevent any rider who could be doping from competing, and to continue to inspire fair sport.

What is a biomarker and how does it help determine if someone is taking a banned substance?
A biomarker is, in the broadest sense of the word, any physical or physiologic characteristic of an individual that can be measured and tracked over time. For anti-doping purposes, a biomarker is typically a measurement of a chemical, hormone, or blood cell type. The use of doping products or methods can be detected by changes in an athlete’s biomarker profile.

How do you keep track of so many riders and ensure they are all tested?
Team Garmin-Slipstream has developed an advanced “whereabouts” tracking program for every rider. Each rider is equipped with a Blackberry to wirelessly communicate their location so that they are available at anytime for random out of competition testing.

In addition to having the team’s testing program administered by the Anti-Doping Science Institute (ADSI), Team Garmin-Slipstream participates in the International Cycling Union (UCI) whereabouts program and actively works with the UCI, the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA), and the US Anti-Doping Agency (USADA) on new whereabouts program initiatives.

How is testing conducted around the world?
Analytical work will be performed by Anti-Doping Research, under contract to ADSI, as well as specimen collection centers and laboratories around the world to make it possible for our cyclists to go for testing near home or wherever necessary. That goes equally for our riders from foreign countries as for our USA cyclists.

Team Garmin-Slipstream’s riders and staff are prepared to go to whatever lengths necessary to prove that we race clean and to help reestablish credibility in our sport.

What is the Anti-Doping Science Institute (ADSI)?
ADSI has been involved in the management of the Garmin-Slipstream anti-doping program since June of 2008 as part of its previous relationship with the Agency for Cycling Ethics. Providing the oversight and program design for ADSI is Don Catlin, one of the leading names in anti doping in the United States. Slipstream Sports contracts with ADSI to have our cyclists undergo the most rigorous testing possible to-date.

The testing program will be comprised of both blood and urine sampling and will focus on EPO, CERA and related drugs, but it will also include full screen testing for doping agents such as testosterone, cortisone, anabolic steroids, and masking agents. In addition, blood and steroid profiles will be used to detect longitudinal abnormalities and remove a rider from competition if suspicious results are found.

Additional information is available at www.antidopingresearch.org

How does the relationship between Team Garmin-Slipstream and ADSI work on a day-to-day basis?
Every Garmin-Slipstream rider is subjected to blood and urine testing by ADSI. There is a process in place to insure that riders comply with the program.

Failure by a rider to fully participate in the ADSI program can result in suspension and potentially termination from the team. ADSI keeps a detailed database of the test results, available only to ADSI scientists. ADSI then provides Garmin-Slipstream’s medical staff and team directors with the results.

ADSI scientists in collaboration with specialist consultants monitor the testing data with an eye for changes that might represent doping by one of the riders.

What happens when ADSI has a concern about the test results of one of your riders?
This process starts with ADSI contacting Garmin-Slipstream’s team doctor. The situation is discussed and reviewed by the team doctor and the team’s executives and the involved rider. Once everyone involved has had the opportunity to provide input, ADSI scientists, in collaboration with the Garmin-Slipstream team doctor, arrive at a decision concerning the abnormality. This decision will range from further testing without suspension, to further testing with suspension, to possible termination from the team.

What if a rider is sick?
A sick or injured rider’s testing continues uninterrupted in the ADSI program. The ADSI program is a 52-week per year commitment. If an abnormal test result occurs, the specifics of the illness and how it may have played into the abnormal result would be considered by ADSI scientists and Garmin-Slipstream team doctors.

What if a rider needs a prescription? How does that impact his tests?
The Garmin-Slipstream team doctor is responsible for all medications prescribed to our riders except in emergency situations when he is not with the rider or immediately available and emergency care must be sought from the nearest source.

Otherwise all medications are prescribed in accordance with the WADA list of banned and restricted substance. Banned substances and procedures are those that are never allowed under any condition. Restricted medications are those that can be used only with authorization by WADA, the most common being an asthma inhaler. Other medications typically wouldn’t effect biomarker profiles, but again would be considered in the process if abnormal test results occur.