The UCI has announced a significant increase in financial support for its anti-doping program.

The UCI has delegated all anti-doping duties to an international laboratory in early 2021, and the increased funding is intended to increase its operational capacity in multiple areas, particularly in men's professional road racing.

According to the UCI's press release, the focus will be on "strengthening capacity in the areas of intelligence and research, inspection, science, data analysis, long-term sample storage, and sample reanalysis."

The decision to increase funding was made by the Anti-Doping Program Funding Committee, made by the Committee.

According to the press release, the increased budget means an increase of €1.5 million in 2023 and a further €2.4 million after 2024. This brings the total expenditure on anti-doping in cycling through the ITA to approximately EUR 10 million per year.

According to the UCI, this expenditure is primarily to strengthen efforts in the area known globally as "I&I" (information and investigation). Another important area, however, is to strengthen the ability to store samples for up to 10 years for later testing under the WADA code.

In doing so, the UCI claims to "outlast the ITA's ability to detect anti-doping rule violations and provide an effective deterrent."

"In line with these main objectives, most of the additional funds will be used for specialized staff, additional platforms, IT tools , and custodial and laboratory costs."

The company also claims that "the additional funds will be used to support the development of the new research center.

While the main focus of the budget increase will be on men's road racing, the UCI and ITA will also work to "improve clean sport initiatives in other cycling disciplines, as each has its own specificities when it comes to anti-doping approaches."