Page added to US 'cross worlds team

USA Cycling announced Thursday that Jonathan Page has been added to the USA National Team roster for this weekend's UCI Cyclo-cross World Championships. Page was cleared of a doping violation in a hearing with arbitrators earlier this week.

Page was initially denied a spot on the team due to the open anti-doping investigation at the time of the team's selection on January 14. The UCI had declared Page ineligible to compete at the world championships due to a missed anti-doping control at the Koksijde World Cup race in Belgium on November 29.

After the panel cleared him of wrongdoing, Page formally asked USA Cycling to reconsider his petition and add him to the team. Page was added to the roster following a Wednesday conference call with members of USA Cycling's seven-person selection committee.

"Following very thorough consideration throughout the process, and after soliciting valuable input from our selection committee, we determined that Jonathan deserved an opportunity to represent the United States at the world championships," said Pat McDonough, USA Cycling director of athletics.

"Although there is no specific blueprint for this scenario, USA Cycling has conducted its due diligence with regards to Jonathan's inclusion on the team," added Steve Johnson, chief executive officer of USA Cycling. "USA Cycling will continue to adamantly support cycling's fight against doping and respects the process that has been put in place to combat the unethical and unfair environment doping creates in sport. And although the facts of Jonathan's case illustrate that extenuating conditions can exist, they should serve as a reminder to all athletes that it is their responsibility to know the rules and abide by them."

To date, Page, the 2007 silver medallist, is the only American to medal in the elite men's category throughout the 58-year history of the world championships. He joins automatic qualifiers US Champion Ryan Trebon and Jeremy Powers and fellow discretionary selections Brian Matter and Matt Shrive on the elite men's squad.