Union Cycliste Internale (UCI) president Hein Verbruggen has revealed that he has approached the recently launched World Anti-Doping Agency to oversee doping control within cycling.

“The problem of the fight against doping is too complex for an international federation. It’s impossible to deal with all the issues. I asked this independent organization to take over all the anti-doping controls and all procedures concerning cycling,” confirmed Mr Verbruggen.

The WADA was created by the IOC (International Olympic Committee) in 1999 to address the escalating problem of doping within sport, not least the problems of the 1998 Tour De France. The UCI is said to be ready to transfer it’s whole $2.2 million anti-doping budget to Wada, and WADA are expected to make a decision this week.

Cycling is the first sport to officially approach WADA but the governing bodies of swimming and athletics are also considering a similar move.