Cycling: UCI plans 'doping hotline' for riders

Lance Armstrong has been stripped of his seven Tour de France titles (Reuters)

Cycling's governing body is considering opening a hotline for riders wishing to discuss doping-related issues, the International Cycling Union (UCI) president Pat McQuaid has said.

The UCI stripped Lance Armstrong of his seven Tour de France titles last month after the United States Anti-Doping Agency (Usada) said he was involved in the "most sophisticated, professionalised and successful doping programme that sport has ever seen".

Cycling has long battled a widespread doping problem and the UCI has been criticised from several quarters over its actions to combat the scourge.

"At the end of the day, it is you the riders who have the ultimate say about whether our sport is clean," McQuaid wrote in a letter to riders published on the UCI website.

"Naturally, we need to do more to ensure that the UCI is as accessible as possible, and in particular to you the riders, should you wish to discuss issues or concerns relating to doping," he added.

"That is why, during the coming weeks... the UCI will be looking into establishing a new open line – a confidential 'hotline'."