Written by: Myles McCorry

Ann Gripper: “As well as the focused pre-competition testing already completed we’ll be carrying out in-competition testing that we agreed with the AFLD”. When the UCI and the French anti-doping agency joined forces, to tag-team test the riders on the Tour de France, the sport just got a little better. Ann Gripper (head UCI anti-doping) added that the testing procedures are far more intelligent than last year, which is great, helping to flush out the cheats.

Finally, the sport is moving in the right direction. Better testing, a bigger threat of capture – hopefully everyone is getting the message. I am. Glued to the TV during July, it ‘looks’ like most riders are too.
The ‘look’ of a rider, is important. Having witnessed super human exploits during the 1990′s, we got to learn that if it looked too good – it WAS too good.

The terrible truth is that the effortless climbing ability of 78kg
(172pounds) riders was a farce. The immediate podium and TV interview recovery was a façade. Seven hours in the Alps and not even a blood shot eye. Unbelievable performances were just that – unbelievable.

If the testing is improving, we can hope the doping is reducing and the racing better. Hard racing where riders hurt, dig deep and the rider that can suffer the most, wins. When Mark Cavendish finished his second, seemingly effortless victory last week, looking closely you could see it w asn’t effortless. At the post-win interview Cav was covered in sweat, salt, and spit, with tired, although delighted eyes. He looked like he had just ridden for five hours fighting crosswinds.

Have a look at the 1989 Tour de France. Revisit a video where the riders looked like us. Fit versions of us at least. The pain visible, the fatigue palpable. A race where 58kg Spaniards and Columbians triumphed in the high mountains, where genetics, guts and sheer hard work decided the race outcome. Believable. During the winter of 1990 EPO finished its first stage of clinical trials and shortly afterward it entered the veins of the pro peloton. The ‘look’ of the bunch changed. They no longer looked like better versions of us. I could no longer relate to them. The dope and the doctors now decided the race outcome. Richard Virenque riding up almost the entire Col de la Madeleine out of the saddle – unbelievable. Bjarne Riis on stage 16 of the 1996 Tour – ridiculously unbelievable.

We hope that now in 2009, the efforts of the combined movement for change and truth in our sport are gathering pace. Better tests, riders with integrity and doctors with honesty. A sport we can believe in is possible. I want to believe.

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