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Anti-Doping

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Anti-Doping

All athletes have the right to compete in sport knowing that they, and their competitors, are clean. We believe in clean sport and work in partnership with UK Anti-Doping(UKAD), the Auto Cycle Union and our International Federation (IF), the FIM, to ensure that the integrity of our sport is protected. 

 

Anti-Doping Rules

The ACU has in place a set of anti-doping rules that all SACU athletes and athlete support personnel must abide by. The anti-doping rules for the SACU are consistent with the World Anti-Doping Code (the Code), the core document that harmonises anti-doping policies, rules and regulations within sport globally.

The anti-doping rules of the SACU are available within section 9 of the National Sporting Code. If you are a licence holder of the SACU then the anti-doping rules apply to you, regardless of what level you participate at. 

Breaking the anti-doping rules can result in a ban from ALL sport. The Code outlines the Anti-Doping Rule Violations (ADRVs). Athletes and athlete support personnel need to make sure they are fully aware of these violations, and the consequences of breaking them. For more information and what this means for those individuals, click here. For information on individuals serving a ban from sport, visit UKAD’s sanction page.

Strict Liability! - An athlete is responsible for anything found in their system, regardless of how it got there or whether there is any intention to cheat. All athletes and athlete support personnel should make themselves aware of the risks, so they don’t receive an unintentional ban from sport. Useful information for athletes can be found on the UKAD website.

 

SACU Anti-Doping Statement 

The FIM is a signatory of the World Anti Doping Authority Code (WADA) therefore obliging all affiliated member nations to adhere to the detail of the WADA code.

 

The National Governing Body for motorcycle sport in the eyes of United Kingdom Anti Doping (UKAD) is the ACU therefore all Scottish riders should follow the guidance in the current ACU Handbook – National Sporting Code Chapter 9, Anti-Doping, Medical and Alcohol, under the guidance of the FIM Anti-Doping Policy. The ACU nominates a group of riders to WADA each year as part of the testing pool linked to the whereabouts systems (ADAMS).

 

However random tests can also be called for at major events at any time. These and targeted tests can be requested by any organisation be it the ACU, FIM or WADA at any time. Guidance from sportscotland suggests that athletes who compete on the wider international stage whether they are part of the ADAMS system or not should be prepared as best they can.

 

The Board of the SACU recommend that riders regularly competing at a UK or International level ensure that if they are taking any regular prescribed medication that appears on the WADA List of Prohibited Medications such as Asthma Medication, medication treating injuries etc that they carry a doctor’s letter containing notes on the current medication and routine dosages. 

 

Therapeutic Use Exemption (TUEs) certificates are only issued to athletes on the ADAMS System following consideration by senior medical staff belonging to the international governing body, in our case the FIM.

 

Anti-doping penalties are specifically dictated by WADA. In the event of an anti-doping rule violation, the SACU follows the sanctions set out in Article 10, Sanctions on Individuals, of the WADA Code. The appeals process can be found in Chapter 10, Discipline and Arbitration Code, of the ACU Handbook – National Sporting Code.

 

Please note – The ban for a first violation can now be FOUR years instead of two depending on the severity of the offence.

 

The FIM have a RIDE TRUE programme running through Motorcycle Sport. The Ride True documentations can be found here: FIM Ride True

 

The most recent WADA Prohibited List can be found here: 2024 List of Prohibited Substances and Methods

 

 

The Prohibited List, Applying for Therapeutic Use Exemptions (TUE) and Testing

All prohibited substances and methods in Code-compliant sports are outlined in the Prohibited List. The Prohibited List is managed and coordinated by WADA (see above link in SACU statement). The List is updated each year, coming into effect on 1st January. It is possible for WADA to make changes to the List more than once a year, but they must communicate such changes three months before they come into effect. As this list is updated annually, athletes and athlete support personnel should make sure they check it ahead of it coming into effect. 
 

Tramadol Update for 2024

One of the major modifications to the 2024 List is that WADA will prohibit tramadol in-competition. In response to this change, UKAD has developed a new TUE Position Statement that sets out guidance for how athletes and doctors should comply with the changes to the way tramadol will be regulated in sport. This Position Statement has been uploaded to the special topics page of the Medicine and TUE Hub on UKAD’s website - https://www.ukad.org.uk/special-topics.

As motorcycle sport athletes are not defined to be part of the National TUE Pool, the following rules apply:

Retroactive TUE Procedure 

Athletes who are not defined to be within the National TUE Pool for their sport nor are defined to be international level do not need to be in possession of a valid TUE prior to commencing treatment with a prohibited substance or method. However, such athletes should check with their prescribing doctor prior to starting treatment that:

  • the need to use the prohibited substance or method is necessary to treat the diagnosed medical condition
  • the diagnosis is supported by relevant clinical evidence such as investigations, clinical examinations, and/or test results
  • no permitted alternatives exist (the status of other possible treatment options can be assessed using Global DRO).

Athletes have five working days to make a retroactive TUE application following receiving written notification from UKAD that they have returned an AAF.

Where no alternative medication is available/possible, Athletes using Tramadol during competition should complete the Therapeutic Use Exemption (TUE) Application Form and return to tue@ukad.org.uk 

 
Checking Medications
 
Before taking any medication (whether from a doctor or purchased over the counter), athletes must check to make sure it doesn’t contain any prohibited substances. Medications (ingredients or brand name) can be checked online at Global DRO. It is important to note that medications bought in one country may contain different ingredients to the same branded medication in another country. For more information on checking medications, visit UKAD’s website. 
Check out the video below from UKAD’s Athlete Commission member and British Paralympic Powerlifter, Ali Jawad, on using Global DRO.
Taking Nutritional Supplements
 
UKAD always advises a food first approach to nutrition, as there are no guarantees that any supplement product is free from prohibited substances. Athletes can support their training and progress towards their targets by eating and enjoying nutritious food. With a bit of planning, it is possible to eat a delicious and healthy diet made up of a variety of food types at the right time, and in the right quantities. Athletes should assess the need, the risks and the consequences before deciding to take a supplement, and if they need to use one, visit the Informed Sport website to check whether supplements have been batch-tested. More advice on managing supplement risks can be found on UKAD’s Supplement Hub here.
 
Applying for a TUE
 
If an athlete with a legitimate medical condition needs to use a prohibited substance or method, they will need to apply for a Therapeutic Use Exemption (TUE). This is only accepted if there are no other suitable permitted medications or treatments that can be used, and there is a strict, detailed process to determine this. Athletes can find out more information about the TUE process on the UKAD website here and use the TUE Wizard to find out whether they need to apply for a TUE and who to submit their application to.
 
What happens in a test?
 
Athletes should feel prepared and know their rights and responsibilities when they are notified to be tested by a Chaperone or Doping Control Officer. Check out this video below on the testing process from start to finish.
Athletes can find out more in the Introduction to Testing section of UKAD’s website.
 
Testing of Minors
 
A Minor may not participate in motorcycle sport unless a parent or guardian of that Minor has consented to Testing of that Minor. For the purposes of these Rules, the consent of a parent or guardian to Testing a Minor, shall be deemed from the fact that the Minor has been permitted by their parent or guardian to participate in motorcycle sport. Confirmation in writing of such consent may be required to be provided at any time.

 

Protect Your Sport

Protecting clean sport depends on everyone playing their part -athletes, coaches, or parents -whether on centre stage or behind the scenes. Speak out if you feel there’s something wrong -no matter how small. UKAD guarantee that your identity will always be kept 100% confidential.
There are different ways to speak out:
  • Email - When you feel something’s wrong, send an email. UKAD guarantee that your name and email address will be kept confidential. Email at protectyoursport@reportdoping.com 
  • Online Form - Tell us what you know via our online form on protectyoursport.co.uk. You will remain anonymous as standard, but if you choose to share your details confidentially it could help us catch those in sport who seek to cheat
  • 24/7 Hotline - Call on 08000 32 23 32. We are here to listen. If you prefer to remain 100% anonymous you can. Or if you share your details, they will be kept confidential, and may help keep sport clean
Find out the more about speaking out and Protect Your Sport here.

 

Further Support and Information

UK Anti-Doping (UKAD)

"UK Anti-Doping is an active participant in the global fight against doping in sport - and is the national body responsible for creating a UK-wide environment of confidence in clean sport. Whether that is in competition, training or spectating, we are working for everyone who loves sport. In the UK, we make sure sports bodies comply with the World Anti-Doping Code through implementation and management of the UK’s National Anti-Doping Policy."

 

World Anti-Doping Agency

"The World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) was established in 1999 as an international independent agency composed and funded equally by the sport movement and governments of the world. Its key activities include scientific research, education, development of anti-doping capacities, and monitoring of the World Anti-Doping Code (Code) – the document harmonizing anti-doping policies in all sports and all countries."