Tom Dumoulin has withdrawn from the Movement for Credible Cycling (MPCC).

The Dutch rider's Jumbo Visma team is not a member of the MPCC, which sets guidelines beyond UCI regulations, but he was a personal member while with Team Sunweb. 3]

However, Dumoulin has now declined affiliation and is not required to follow MPCC guidelines, including temporary suspensions for riders with low cortisol levels who may be abusing cortisone.

According to the Dutch website Wielerflits (opens in new tab), Dumoulin claimed that the MPCC has not lived up to its description of itself as an organization that protects riders' health more than it is an anti-doping organization.

"I really like the MPCC's philosophy. They pursue a cleaner sport and do not consider the current doping rules strict enough, especially with regard to the use of cortisone," Dumoulin said. [But I thought Paris-Nice was a travesty. In my opinion, that race should not have taken place. There was also a coronavirus outbreak in France. There was a really serious problem, but the MPCC said nothing. Their motive was public health, but the race from Paris to Nice was perfectly fine, even though it was in the middle of the highest health risks at the time."

Another reason for Dumoulin's resignation was the use of ketones. Ketones are a controversial supplement that has been linked to significant performance gains. Although the use of ketones is perfectly legal, it is controversial due to its ethical aspects and potential impact on the health of athletes.

Earlier this year, the MPCC released its position on ketones, stating that it does not recommend their use "given the side effects and uncertainty of their long-term effects." Jumbo Visma admits to using ketones.

"They brought up that the use of ketones is very dangerous, which I thought was hypocritical of the MPCC," Dumoulin said.

"It's a little hypocritical for me, as a member of the MPCC, because our team uses ketones. These two things came together and I decided to leave."