Sally Jenkins, the co-author of Lance Armstrong’s book “It’s Not About The Bike” and Washington Post sports columnist, still believes Armstrong did not use performance-enhancing drugs (PEDs). Jenkins wrote in an online chat that her opinion is based on her personal relationship with Armstrong in which she judges her friends based on her personal interactions with them. She had asked Lance Armstrong “point blank” if he had used steroids or PEDs and he denied it. However, she acknowledges that she cannot be completely objective when it comes to the issue. Jenkins admits that Lance Armstrong could “never disappoint” her even if he lied about his use of PEDs. [Read more…]
Steroids in Cycling
May
22
George Hincapie Doesn’t Deny Talking Steroids with Lance Armstrong
The CBS television news program “60 Minutes” reported that American cyclist George Hincapie told a federal grand jury that he discussed using anabolic steroids with Lance Armstrong. CBS reported that the testimony of the former teammate of Lance Armstrong also included statements about providing erythropoietin (EPO) to each other. George Hincapie was a domestique for Lance Armstrong who was crucial in helping Armstrong achieve seven Tour de France victories. [Read more…]
May
21
Tyler Hamilton Says He Used Steroids with Lance Armstrong
Former American cyclist Tyler Hamilton claimed that he used anabolic steroids and other performance-enhancing drugs along with Lance Armstrong and other cyclists at the time. Hamilton makes the allegations in an interview broadcast on the American television news program “60 Minutes“. Last year, Hamilton was subpoenaed to testify before a grand jury investigating Lance Armstrong and the use of performance-enhancing drugs in the sport of cycling. [Read more…]
May
15
Cyclists Suspected of Using Performance-Enhancing Drugs
The French sports newspaper L’Equipe published a secret list of cyclist names with the corresponding probability that they are using performance-enhancing drugs (PEDs). The International Cycling Union (UCI) categorized their assessment of various cyclists from the 2010 Tour de France rating cyclists on a 10-point scale as to their likelihood of using performance-enhancing drugs such as anabolic steroids or erythropoietin (EPO). [Read more…]
Apr
03
Cyclist and Journalist Banned for Testosterone Replacement Therapy Admission in Book
Amateur cyclist and writer Andrew Tilin was banned for two years by the United States Anti-Doping Agency (USADA) after admitting that he used exogenous testosterone as part of a legal testosterone replacement therapy (TRT) regimen in his soon-to-be-released book. Tilin’s book, ‘The Doper Next Door: My Strange and Scandalous Year on Performance-Enhancing Drugs
‘, was written to explore the use of performance-enhancing drugs (PEDs) by the average Joe in contrast to most published accounts which focus on steroid use by professional and elite athletes. However, the majority of dopers are amateur and recreational athletes.
While writing about the motivations and experiences of these individuals, Tilin apparently decided to experiment with the banned substances on his own. The press releases and book descriptions suggest that Tilin simply used exogenous testosterone in what was described as “legal hormone replacement therapy”. It is unclear if Tilin’s book discussed his experiences with other PEDs. [Read more…]
Mar
12
Congressman Questions the Government Witch-Hunt Against Lance Armstrong
Congressman Jack Kingston (R-Ga) questioned the importance of the government witch-hunt that has targeted celebrity athletes accused of steroids after a budget hearing for the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Kingston is the Subcommittee Chairman in the House Appropriations Committee who is responsible for directing government spending for the FDA.
FDA commissioner Margaret Hamburg appeared before the subcommittee to ask for more money to carry out the tasks of the FDA but Kingston questioned how effectively the FDA was prioritizing their current spending. Kingston talked to Nate Vinton of the New York Daily News about the FDA’s misguided focus on pursuing Lance Armstrong suggesting that the FDA does not have its priorities straight. [Read more…]
Feb
24
Steroids for Sale to Bodybuilders and Cyclists in Spain
Operation Curse has resulted in the arrest of a former pro cyclist who allegedly sold various performance-enhancing drugs to both bodybuilders and cyclists in the Catalunia province of Spain. Jordi Riera, who rode in the 2003 Giro d’Italia, was one of seven who were detained and charged with the trafficking of doping products.
Police raided five residences and seized various performance-enhancing drugs such as clenbuterol, nandrolone, trenbolone, human growth hormone (HGH) and erythropoeitin (EPO). [Read more…]
Feb
07
Anti-Doping Agency Working on Hair Testing to Detect Clenbuterol
The World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) is considering the introduction of hair testing analysis in addition to blood and urine testing. Anti-doping experts hope that hair analysis can detect whether drugs such as clenbuterol were ingested intentionally or innocently via contaminated food products.
Tour de France champion Alberto Contador tested positive for infinitesimally small amounts of clenbuterol. The detected levels were unlikely to have any type of performance-enhancing benefit for the athlete. However, WADA has a zero-tolerance policy when it comes to clenbuterol so that any amount is sufficient to impose a ban. [Read more…]
Feb
03
The Doping Philosophy of Cyclist Christophe Bassons
Cyclist Christophe Bassons has never used banned performance-enhancing drugs. This isn’t an unusual proclamation from a pro cyclist in a sport where cyclists continually deny using PEDs in spite of the evidence against them. However, Bassons is different in that many people actually believe him.
Some people may find his decision to avoid PEDs as admirable and even “courageous”. However, Bassons refuses to claim any sort of moral superiority because of his choice. He does not condemn cyclists such as Floyd Landis who have admitted using drugs such as testosterone and erythropoietin in their quest to win the Tour de France. [Read more…]
Jan
25
Experts Think Contador Innocence Possible in Clenbuterol Doping Case
Professional cyclist Alberto Contador tested positive for clenbuterol after winning the 2010 Tour de France. Contador was caught with infinitesimally small amounts of clenbuterol that were 40 times less than the minimum standards of detection capability required by anti-doping labs accredited by the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA). However, WADA has a zero-tolerance policy when it comes to clenbuterol; any detected amount, no matter how small, is sufficient to impose a ban. Contador claims the clenbuterol present in his urine was the result of the consumption of meat contaminated with clenbuterol. Many experts think this is a very plausible explanation for the small amounts of clenbuterol discovered [Read more…]
