Clean Slate? Torku-Sekerspor joins MPCC

The disgraced Torku-Sekerspor team has been accepted as a provisional member of the Movement for a Credible Cycling (MPCC) as new manager Lionel Marie tries to clean up its image.

Torku-Sekerspo gained notoriety last year when Mustafa Sayar tested positive for banned blood booster EPO shortly after winning the 2013 Tour of Turkey. An incident now infamous because it came just 12 months after another rider on the team Ivailo Gabrovskiy, had also tested positive for EPO, after also winning the Tour of Turkey.

Both rides were received skeptically at the time, with Sayar's 2013 ride openly questioned by riders and teams at the race. New manager Marie has been instilled by Torku to turn the team's image around. He joins the team after spending time most recently with Orica-GreenEDGE and Giant-Shimano.

"My first job consists in developing a strong antidoping policy. To do so, it seemed essential to me that the team should join MPCC," said Marie.

"After two EPO cases on two Tours of Turkey, the team has complied with ADAMS system requirements. There is a clear need to turn the page and this is my number one priority, and that's why the sponsor wanted to hire me. You all know my convictions regarding antidoping.

"The request was accepted by the board but on probation in order to allow Torku-Sekerspor to demonstrate they can be full member."