ITA Unveils New Initiative
The International Testing Agency (ITA) has announced plans to develop a rider power passport, a novel anti-doping tool for professional cycling. Scheduled for rollout by 2028, the project is currently in its feasibility study phase. Its primary goal is to secure full access to internal team data files, enabling more detailed analysis of cyclists' power output metrics. This represents a shift in how performance data could be used to monitor fairness in the sport.
Data collected through the new passport will not directly lead to disqualifications or sanctions. As Olivier Banuls explained,
“the key difference between this new system and the traditional Athlete Biological Passport is that rider power data will not be used to directly issue disqualifications or sanctions”. Instead, the collection of pedaling efficiency indicators will serve as a foundation for further analysis and investigations within cycling.
Team Coordination and Involvement
The scientific research is being coordinated by the ITA in partnership with the University of Kent in England. Approximately 60 cyclists from five professional teams are participating in the project, including:
- Visma
- Jayco
- Decathlon
- Cofidis
- Picnic
- Uno-X
- Tudor
The agency also plans to move to a second development phase, where the passport will become mandatory for men's WorldTour and professional teams. Eventually, the monitoring system is expected to include the women's division as well.
The development of a rider power passport could significantly transform anti-doping controls in cycling. Collecting power data will not only help identify potential violations but also create a more transparent system for athletes and teams. This could boost trust among fans and sponsors while helping maintain the integrity of competitions in the future.