WADA says working with drug makers will help catch more doping athletes this year

WADA aims to catch dopers with drug makers’ help

LAUSANNE, Switzerland — World Anti-Doping Agency leaders believe their collaboration with the pharmaceutical industry will soon help catch more drug cheats.

WADA director general David Howman said Tuesday that cooperation with drug companies could deliver results this year.

Howman said drug manufacturers approached WADA after Swiss company Roche played a key role catching cyclists who doped at the 2008 Tour de France.

Riders used the new blood-boosting hormone CERA thinking it could not be traced.

But Roche had alerted WADA to the drug’s potential for abuse by athletes four years earlier and several riders were caught during and after the race.

Stage winners Riccardo Ricco, Leonardo Piepoli and Stefan Schumacher were stripped of their prizes and banned.