Bike Pure and SKINS Launch Certification Program for Companies

PRESS RELEASE – 24 September 2010

Bike Pure and SKINS launch certification program for companies

Cycling’s independent voice for anti-doping, Bike Pure, has announced a new certification program for companies to send a clear message that sponsors will not support, condone or tolerate doping in cycling.

“One of the key drivers for cyclists or teams to be attracted to doping is the financial benefit that drug fuelled results may bring.  Conversely, companies who tolerate or turn a blind eye to doping practises can receive a commercial benefit from the results.  Bike Pure has created a certification program for companies to stand up and say that there is no tolerance for doping and no profit will be made from it”, said Bike Pure Director, Andy Layhe.

“Bike Pure are pleased to announce that SKINS will become the first such company to become Bike Pure Certified. SKINS’ values and intolerance of doping were paramount in Bike Pure’s decision to adopt SKINS as the first Bike Pure Certified company.”

“Just as cyclists and teams have responsibilities to play by the rules, so too do corporate sponsors. SKINS has a responsibility to promote integrity and honesty in all of our actions and relationships”, said SKINS Sports Director – Cycling, Benjamin Fitzmaurice. “SKINS sponsor over 150 athletes and teams around the world. We incorporate SKINS brand values and our manifesto into every agreement that we have with an athlete, team or association. This includes the fact that SKINS does not tolerate doping, or attempts to dope, in any sport.”

“It’s vitally important to the clean cycling message that companies draw a clear line in the sand about what is expected of our cyclists and teams.  SKINS message is that athletes should handle themselves with honesty and integrity at all times. Cyclists should play hard and fair – be determined and driven with the right spirit, the ‘true spirit of competition’.”

As part of the Bike Pure company certification program, SKINS will use the Bike Pure mark.  Consumers can show their allegiance to the promotion of clean cycling by supporting companies who share Bike Pure’s anti-doping message.

Bike Pure was conceived out of the doping scandals that hit the 2008 Tour de France and has grown to become the world’s largest independent anti-doping organisation.  Over 100 professional riders use their endorsement of the Bike Pure values to promote clean cycling.

SKINS started in Australia in 1996 when the company embarked on the challenge to create a sports garment that aided recovery and improved performance. It has since become Australia’s leading compression brand and has grown into a global business, with its headquarters now based in Switzerland.

Earlier this year SKINS launched an advertising campaign featuring a number of elite athletes, titled “Cheat Legal”, which plays to the fact that SKINS give you a naturally unfair advantage.
View the Cheat Legal campaign here.

For full details on the Certification scheme please download our brochure in pdf format here.

If your company wishes to be involved can email Bike Pure at andy@bikepure.org