Challenge Roth announced this week that it will be conducting additional doping tests together with the German anti-doping agency NADA. Not only will professional athletes be subject to additional testing, Challenge Roth and NADA also announced doping tests for Age Groupers. In doing so, in addition to standard blood and urine tests, NADA will also use a new technology: Dried Blood Spot testing (DBS).
Challenge Roth and NADA already have a strong partnership since 2002. Not only will there be additional doping testing at Challenge Roth, NADA will also be very visible starting Thursday before the race, with a booth where athletes can get more information. How much additional testing will be done on pro athletes and how many age groupers will be tested (and on what basis), NADA would not disclose. The German anti-doping authority does claim there will be more than last year.
With the use of DBS testing, tests can also be done much faster. Unlike the well-known urine tests and/or blood tests in which an athlete gives a sample, the Dried Blood Spot test is much faster. The test is performed using a small device that picks up blood drops from the upper arm.
Challenge Roth will take place this year on July 6.
