'No drug cheats here'

CYCLING in Guernsey is clean and free of drug cheats. The assurance was given by Guernsey Velo Club development officer David Harry in the wake of the doping scandals in the Tour de France.

'It has done damage to cycling again. It has happened on quite regular occasions and it's a continuation of the problems that have been experiencing in recent years,' said Harry.

'It's a continual threat to the sport and a worry.'

But he said the problems were not mirrored in the island.

'I have no reason to think there is any drug taking in cycling in Guernsey. Guernsey cycling is clean.

'There is no indication it is seen as being a threat locally and it's way off the scale of what we do here in Guernsey,' he said.

'At an amateur level I don't think this is a problem. All these problems stem from professional cycling and people being prepared to take risks to get to the top.'

Athletes will have to undergo drugs tests at the next Island Games in Aland, but cycling is not one of the chosen sports there.

But Harry cannot envisage competitors from any islands resorting to cheating in a bid for glory and reaching the podium.

'I can't say it won't happen, but I would be very surprised if it was anyone in Guernsey because they know the consequences. It would taint the Games and sport and dramatically affect the rider concerned.'

Anyone amateur taking performance-enhancing drugs would face an automatic two-year ban.

'There is no room for cheats in sport,' said Harry.

The GVC follows British Cycling - which has been at the forefront of ensuring youngsters cyclists follow a correct training regime.

Guernsey's participants in the Island and Commonwealth Games have been given information to make sure they are not taking medicines that are illegal or banned substances.

'We have an education programme, not just for cyclists but all the sports in the Island Games,' said Harry.

Guernsey's Go Ride scheme, which introduces youngsters to competitive cycling, has had a good take-up in recent years and no parents have raised any concerns.

'Drug taking on the Tour goes back to the turn of the last century and I think the sport will recover and bounce back,' said Harry.

'The damage the riders do is to the sport and the sponsors who pay their wages. It's a very short-sighted and stupid thing to do.'