Andorran Cycling Federation Adopts Collective Anti-Doping Fund for 2027

The Andorran Cycling Federation (FAC) will replace individual anti-doping guarantees with a collective fund for professional cyclists' licences starting in the 2027 season.

This shift follows collaborative efforts with the Cyclistes Professionnels Associés (CPA), the Andorran government, and the Union Cycliste Internationale (UCI) to address issues with the prior system. FAC president Carolina Poussier had expressed dissatisfaction with the model that required each professional rider to provide a personal bank guarantee or bond to cover potential disciplinary costs from doping cases.

Under the new setup, male professionals pay 1,500 euros in their first year—750 euros for the licence and 750 euros to seed the anti-doping guarantee fund. Subsequent annual licences cost 750 euros. Female professionals pay 880 euros initially (440 euros each for licence and fund), dropping to 440 euros per year thereafter.

Riders who submitted guarantees or bonds under the previous system will receive full refunds. The fund links directly to disciplinary expenses: for each positive doping case from the prior year that incurs costs, the following season's licence fee may increase by 80 euros. No such cases mean no adjustment.

The change stems from earlier disputes, including a rejected proposal for 7,500 Swiss franc individual deposits—equivalent to about 8,000 euros—and a temporary doubling of professional licence fees to 1,500 euros, which drew criticism from riders such as Carlos Verona. Government and UCI involvement in March approved the 2026 arrangements while allowing alternatives from 2027.

Poussier emphasised the need for a streamlined approach that ensures coverage without burdening the federation's core budget or complicating matters for athletes. The agreement aims to meet riders' demands while safeguarding against proceeding expenses.