Although Canadian cyclists have been in no way more implicated in doping scandals than riders from other countries, they have been involved in several cases in recent months.

Last October, Danish cyclist Michael Rasmussen, who had already admitted to doping throughout his 12-year career from 1998 to 2010, made claims that Canadians Ryder Hesjedal, Chris Sheppard and Seamus McGrath doped in 2003.

Hesjedal, winner of the the 2012 Giro d'Italia, subsequently admitted to doping in the early part of his career "more than 10 years ago".

In October 2012, another Canadian cyclist, Michael Barry, was suspended for six months after admitted doping during his time with the US Postal Cycling Team between 2003 and 2006, when he was a key supporting rider to team leader Lance Armstrong.

Ryder Hesjedal, pictured in the 2013 Tour de France, is one Canadian cyclist to have been implicated in a doping scandal ©Getty Images




Paul Melia, President and chief executive of the CCES, claimed that "speaking with athletes and their support personnel to better understand the issue of doping through partnerships such as this, is an important area of focus in the 2015 World Anti-Doping Code, which comes into effect January 1, 2015".

"We are pleased to be assisting Cycling Canada in this initiative," he added.

Greg Mathieu, chief executive and secretary general of Cycling Canada, said: "The Board of Directors of Cycling Canada is fully committed to supporting clean athletes and their desire to succeed in the sport within an ethical framework".

"This consultation has been designed to advise us on the prevalence and extent of performance enhancing drug use, past and present, in our sport with the goal of rooting it out through appropriate deterrence and education."

"We are appreciative of the assistance and collaboration of the CCES in this endeavor."

Mathieu added to insidethegames that the process is called a consultation so they can gather information from athletes and support staff in an anonymous manner, to advise them on the best way forward.

Interviews are due to take place between now and July, and will be conducted by an independent third party in order to ensure anonymity of the athletes and support personnel.

A final report will be provided to Cycling Canada and the CCES, with it due to be made public in August 2014.

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October 2013: Giro d'Italia winner Hesjedal admits doping but claims was "more than ten years ago"
October 2013: Cycling Canada calls for UCI cooperation with WADA following historical doping allegations