Painkillers in the peloton

Alex Dowsett speaks out against pill culture in the pro peloton

The peloton on stage seventeen of the 2014 Giro d'Italia

(Image credit: watson)

Alex Dowsett is against the use of painkillers in professional cycling after having once tried the prescription analgesic tramadol in a training session.

The triple British national time trial champion has also highlighted the consumption of sleeping medication at races, echoing other young riders who have suggested the sport needs to move away from an apparent ‘pill culture’.

Thank you for reading 20 articles this month* Join now for unlimited access

Enjoy your first month for just £1 / $1 / €1

*Read 5 free articles per month without a subscription

Join now for unlimited access

Try first month for just £1 / $1 / €1

Contributor

Sophie Smith is an Australian journalist, broadcaster and author of Pain & Privilege: Inside Le Tour. She follows the WorldTour circuit, working for British, Australian and US press, and has covered 10 Tours de France.