“We’re 100% against this” - Riders’ Union boss speaks out against power data passport in pro cycling
Cycling
The riders’ union has taken a hard stance against the idea of a power data passport in professional cycling, with CPA president Adam Hansen insisting there is no appetite in the peloton for the concept to move beyond its current pilot stage.
“Now they’re only testing it this year with four teams, and the CPA’s position is very clear: we’re 100% against this and so are the riders,” Hansen said in conversation with Domestique.
The project is being developed by the International Testing Agency as a longitudinal monitoring tool based on riders’ power files, with the aim of supporting intelligence-led anti-doping work and sharpening targeted testing.
But Hansen’s concern is not only about how the data might be used today, but where it could lead once it becomes normalised.
The sanction fear that changes everything
“What they’re testing this year is power data,” Hansen said. “The riders have to submit all the power data, and then they’ll go through it all. If they see things that are irregular, then they'll do more target testing or maybe in the future this could also mean a sanction in itself.”
That possibility is the line in the sand for the CPA: a system built from training and racing files that could evolve from analysis into consequences.
Ex-pro Hansen is the leader of the CPA
Voluntary, until it is not
Hansen also questioned how a voluntary pilot can stay voluntary once the infrastructure exists and expectations build around compliance.
“Ok, it’s only a test. It’s only voluntary, but my question is, ‘What happens if the rider does not submit his power data?’”
He added that the reassurance he has heard does not address the underlying issue. “And they are like, ‘Ah, but it’s just a test.’”
Missing files, malfunctioning kit, and real world training
Hansen pointed to the practical reality that power data is not always clean, complete, or even available, for reasons that have nothing to do with intent. “And if your Garmin falls off, which happens sometimes, and you can’t upload your files, or if your Garmin’s flat, does that mean you can’t go training?”
For riders, the risk is not just technical hassle, but how missing data might be interpreted. “There’s so many factors where a rider just won’t have his training data, and if he can’t submit it, is that a missed control? Because a missed test is very severe.”
Why power data is not a biological passport
Hansen contrasted the proposal with the biological passport, which relies on consistent biological markers rather than performance numbers that can swing with context. “With your blood, it remains very consistent, so the biological passport is not a bad idea,” he said. “The problem with the power data is how do they know what the riders are doing?”
He argued that without visibility of the plan behind the numbers, the data can mislead rather than clarify. “What if your coach tells you to ride 80% for three weeks and then he says tomorrow you’re going to ride 120% for a shorter period. Without knowing the training programme given by the coach, how do they know what the rider is doing?”
And he questioned the foundations of any supposed baseline built from an incomplete context. “And they’re creating a baseline for the athlete off that easy zone, but that’s not the true baseline.”
The wider pressure on riders
Hansen also framed the debate in terms of what riders are already being asked to handle day to day. “This just adds to the extra stress for the athletes. To me, it’s just getting too much. And that’s why you see these younger guys are just burning out. They can't survive.”
For now, the ITA project remains a pilot involving a limited number of teams. But Hansen’s message is that the direction of travel matters as much as the current scope, especially if performance files ever start to carry consequences rather than simply informing testing.
Kieran WoodDeputy Editor-in-Chief
Kieran Wood is a sports journalist based in Wales and has been active in journalism since 2022. He regularly contributes to DartsNews.com and CyclingUpToDate.com, where he covers professional cycling and darts. In cycling, his work includes liveblogs from major races, including the Tour de France, the Giro d’Italia, and La Vuelta a España, alongside race reports and analysis. He has also conducted interviews with professional riders.
His reporting spans the full racing calendar, from one-day classics to stage races, with a focus on accurate, real-time coverage and clear contextual analysis. For statistics, results, and historical context, he regularly uses resources such as ProCyclingStats. To support reporting on rider activity and training context where relevant, he also references Strava.
In his work, Kieran places strong emphasis on careful sourcing, editorial accuracy, and updating articles as new, verified information becomes available.
claps 12visitors 3
Just in
Popular news
Latest comments
- This is a really interesting idea, which, if well prepared could even be very successful. Very little money needs to be involved for a first season and any success could lead to rapid interest from sponsors.Jumpyjohn07-11-2026
- Hmmm, you seem to have a very convenient black and white view of things. Perhaps you haven’t been around much to discover how complex problems can become over time with people who know how to control, manipulate (or worse) others so gradually or subtly that you arrive at an irresolvable situation before you realise. This is how many inconveniences get introduced to the young, naïve, passionate or “desperate”, knowing they are not armed, protected or strong enough to defend themselves once it’s too late. Why do you think omerta culture is so widespread, why do you think so many people continue to go through so many awful things in life that others can’t understand anyone getting into? Life may be far more jolly for you but you would do well to understand (or reflect more on) the real world to refrain from being so quick to criticise those in a hard spot that may have genuine reason for speaking out.Jumpyjohn07-11-2026
- Seriously do you think when somebody gets into a serious accident, the ambulance is called by the hurt person?🤦 there is always a buddy system in place for a risky job. police , firefighters etc so that if someone gets hurt, the other call that in.abstractengineer07-11-2026
- I get the point totally. We live in the snowflake society where some riders forget they are getting paid to ride and get results. When they have a few issues they try to look outside of the real issue instead of themselves. It odd so many of the team are making no complaints and getting on with their job. If you do not like what you do find another job simples. Tough love as my mum would say.paultryan200207-11-2026
- many people advise him to grow slowly and rather do giro and/or vuelta instead of tdf. but i can totally understand that he is not satisfied with taking over once pogi declines, but instead beat him in his prime. so if he goes for tdf again, i‘m all for it. let‘s hope that pogi recovers soon!Ketterechts07-11-2026
- So gracious to offer something no-one would be prepared to pay for. The Giro is not the Tour and doesn’t command the same interest or attract the same “elite” (those willing to pay to be a part of something they consider has ego boosting potential). Roadside viewing will always largely remain free for everyone outside circuits. Introduction of a symbolic entrance to mountain climbs is worthy of exploration. Asking 1-2€ isn’t going to repulse real fans (most will spend 50-100€ on their outing that day all things included) but will prevent a portion of the total knobhead thrillseekers who will join in any large gathering as long as it’s free, just because they’re attracted to crowds, without which it it difficult for them to work up their anti-social behaviour.Jumpyjohn07-11-2026
- How is radio going to help when someone went over a cliff or bridge or off the roadside into a forest unnoticed and is laying there unconscious?Jumpyjohn07-11-2026
- Yep, next we’ll be accusing F1 drivers of avoiding Le Mans.Jumpyjohn07-11-2026
- But on what is that opinion based? Are you holding him to a different standard than others? Are you saying he should do learn to like something he doesn’t Are you saying he hasn’t achieved enough Are you saying he pretends to be better than his results? It’s actually a really strange opinion to oust if you consider it objectively or rationally. Try applying it to others or yourself by asking if not EVERYONE should then be doing more? Nobody in athletics or swimming gets criticism for not expanding their repertoire when a rival or someone else does. In fact, most who move to another event get accused of running from their rival. Opinions are boring, the reasons behind them are what count.Jumpyjohn07-11-2026
- for a medical chief to throw things like is just bad. There are already radios which were banned for spectacle. allow radios. Gps trackers are not a complete solutionabstractengineer07-11-2026
Loading
Write a comment