The International Cycling Union (UCI) has launched an anti-doping helpline for professional riders, in the wake of the damaging fall-out from American Lance Armstrong's spectacular fall from grace, AFP reported.

The free 24-hour, confidential helpline, which will take calls in English and French, can be accessed from anywhere in the world and "is for all athletes in the UCI registered testing pool as well as any professional cyclists taking part in UCI competitions".

"It guarantees that all calls can also be made anonymously at any time, and any day of the week, which is in line with the recommendation of the Association of Professional Cyclists (CPA)," world cycling's governing body said.

The calls will be recorded and, depending on their nature, forwarded to specialists in the legal, anti-doping and medical fields, who will decide what follow-up action should be taken, it added.