Italians criticise charter

Cycling's governing body is keen to restore the sport's image in the wake of the damaging Operacion Puerto blood doping scandal, and has drawn up a declaration that cyclists are invited, though not obliged, to sign.

The document allows ProTour riders to swear that they have not been part of the Puerto affair, that they are willing to submit their DNA to Spanish police in order to clear themselves of any involvement, and will pay the equivalent of a year's salary as a fine should they be convicted of any doping offence in addition to the mandatory two-year ban.

The entire T-Mobile and Credit Agricole teams have already signed the document, while Gerolsteiner have vowed to follow suit. CSC's Franck Schleck also revealed his team were in favour of the scheme, while the favourite for this year's Tour de France, Alexandre Vinokourov, said he would probably sign even though found the procedure "a bit strange."

The Italian professional cyclists association advised its members not to sign the document though, labelling it "unfair."

"The UCI seems to completely ignore what has happened in the past and what still happens today as various investigations have shown: teams pressuring athletes to dope," it stated.

One high-profile Italian cyclist to go against the federations advice is Saunier Duval's Gilberto Simoni, who signed on Monday. A number of his compatriots from the T-Mobile, Credit Agricole and Milram teams have also done the same. Simoni is the only rider from a Spanish team to have signed the document as of yet.