WADA slams French TV micro-dosing doping experiment

Anti-doping authority criticises Stade 2 report that tried to demonstrate how athletes could avoid detection from the Athlete Biological Passport

The World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) has slammed French television channel Stade 2 for its experiment into micro-dosing and avoiding detection from the Athlete Biological Passport (ABP), in which the organisation described participants as "human guinea pigs."

Stade 2 recruited eight amateur athletes and gave them small doses of EPO after undergoing a VO2 max test, a time trial on a static bike and 3km run. They were then tested again after the month of doping, with average improvement in VO2 max among the athletes at 6.1 per cent. The report also attempted to show that none of the athlete's would have been detected by the ABP.

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

Richard Windsor

Follow on Twitter: @richwindy


Richard is digital editor of Cycling Weekly. Joining the team in 2013, Richard became editor of the website in 2014 and coordinates site content and strategy, leading the news team in coverage of the world's biggest races and working with the tech editor to deliver comprehensive buying guides, reviews, and the latest product news.


An occasional racer, Richard spends most of his time preparing for long-distance touring rides these days, or getting out to the Surrey Hills on the weekend on his Specialized Tarmac SL6 (with an obligatory pub stop of course).