By Shane Stokes
The Bike Pure organisation has announced that over 10,000 people have signed up to its anti-doping campaign, reflecting a strong interest in the push for a cleaner sport.
"Cycling fans worldwide deserve heroes they can believe in," said Myles McCorry of Bike Pure. "We are delighted to have this surge of support from riders, fans and the cycle industry."
Amongst the latest to come on board is Ben Jacques-Maynes from the Bissell Pro Cycling Team and Pieter Jacobs (Silence-Lotto). Jacobs' attention was drawn to the campaign when he saw teammate Olivier Kaisen wearing the Bike Pure wristband. "Every campaign against doping is a good one but Bike Pure looks a fresh one and I want to support it," he said.
The new Team Cyclesport.se – MagnusMaximusCoffee.com squad has also signed up en masse; the organisers have sent them 30 blue headset spacers and 20 wristbands, which will be seen on the bikes and riders from this point on.
Team DS Martin Crossan said that it was important to Magnus Backstedt's new squad. "There is a change in cycling that is evident. But it needs a collective, committed effort to ensure that these changes are long term. We are committed to educating and producing the next generation of professional cyclists, dedicated to a new cleaner future of our sport."
"When a cyclist cheats the list of those affected is widespread," said McCorry, explaining the motivation behind the campaign. "Event organisers, team-mates, sponsors, fans, and commentators are all let down in different ways. The media focus so much attention on the cheaters that the real heroes' stories get forgotten. We wish to focus on the positive side of bike racing and turn the tide the image of cycling racing."
Bike Pure is planning to travel to the Ronde van Vlaanderen in order to further raise the profile of the non-profit campaign. Those interested can sign up at www.Bikepure.org. According to Andy Layhe of Bike Pure, the site has had visitors from 40 countries worldwide.
