The German cycling federation will step up its fight against doping, and conducting more drug tests and imposing harsher penalties than it does now. Speaking at the end of the fifth stage of the Tour of Germany, President Rudolf Scharping was quoted by Reuters as saying, "They [the drug tests] will be much more frequent, higher quality and of greater intensity. This policy, effective from September 1, will affect teams in all professional categories, both for men and women."
The tougher penalties will involve lifetime bans from national teams for those athletes found to be doping. Scharping also called for anti-doping laws to be introduced in Germany, similar to those of France and Italy.
