how much doping is there still in cycling??

[tomkb]

further to the post about jobie dajka who decended into depression and ultimately sadly died from accusations that he was using performance enhancements pre athens 2004, i thought id pose the question to you guys- how much doping still goes on in the cycling professional scene??

there have been quite a few pros recently been caught, floyd landis among them i think? but there was a time when everyone was doing it. rumours still go around about lance aswell before the cancer.

 

[yello]

It's in all sports, cycling is no exception. As to "how much", I guess that depends on what you're expecting. It's there, no doubt about it.

Cycling has a reputation, and deservedly so, but I would doubt it has the biggest problem. I reckon their are sports (US major league baseball maybe?????) that have a culture of doping that is yet to be seriously challenged. At least cycling's acknowledging it.

 

[Keith Oates]

What yello says is correct but i also think that cycling is getting better. However there is no doubt we will hear of some more before this year is out.!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[mondobongo]

Its definitely at a reduced level from previous years but sadly still taking place and its even more disappointing to see the next generation of riders being caught ie Ricco .

 

[Steve B]

I would think it is still happening. As to why cycling has such a bad rep - the answer is two fold. Firstly because so many people have been caught, but secondly, the grand tours are one of the toughest sports around in terms of fitness levels and dedication required. Think of another sport that makes such demands of its competitors. You can dope as an athletics sprinter in the off season to build muscle, then stay clean through the on season. A cyclist needs a high hematocrit at the time of racing - muscle mass is not going to be a big factor in his preparation. Rumours abound over footballers, baseball players, tennis players and even golfers, but how much of an advantage does EPO give them with their relatively weaker demands for enhanced performance. I would look closely at other endurance athletes as a starter - marathon runners, triathletes, possibly swimmers.

Cycling has been targeted, and rightly so on its past performance with systematic doping violations, but its not unique, just the most high profile. Wherever there is rich reward for winning, there will be the temptation to cheat.

 

[jayce]

The ones who do it think they wont get caught .....until they do its an unfair advantage .i heard that ..icp..is the main useage at the mo .

 

[Dave5N]

Lots

 

[naffets]

the amount of riders getting caught doping compared to other sports has got to come down to the strict regime on doping control in the sport! it would be nice to think we are at last turning the corner??

 

[just jim]

What is "icp"?

Can't imagine it is intra cranial pressure.

 

[NickM]

It's in all sports...

I would say that doping occurs in all sports in which there is a significant amount of money to be made.

I very much doubt that there is any doping in British domestic time trialling.

 

[jayce]

Icp is a steriod