Are fishing worms the new way of doping at the Tour de France?

Researchers say that haemoglobin product is "readily available for cheating athletes"

Anti-doping sign at Tour de France 2013
(Image credit: Getty)

Blood from worms usually used as fishing bait could be the newest doping technique in professional cycling, even at the Tour de France, reports over the weekend have alleged.

Haemoglobin from arenicola marina lugworms, otherwise known as sandworms, is used for medical use because of the worms' incredible oxygen transporting abilities, and according to L'Équipe last week, the creator of the technique was approached in 2020 by a "well-known cyclist" who wanted to use the product.

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