Doping
An unfortunate truth for cycling fans everywhere is that doping has had no small part to play in the history of the sport.
The use of performance enhancing substances were widely accepted in the early era of gruelling races like the Tour de France. A number of incidents however, including the death of Danish rider Knud Enemark Jensen at the 1960 Olympic Games team time trial, who was using amphetamines at the time, saw rules gradually introduced to combat doping.
Still, even to the present day, positive tests are not uncommon.
Lance Armstrong, who had won seven consecutive Tour de France titles until he was found guilty of using PEDs in a 2012 report, is potentially the most notorious drug cheat in cycling, if not sporting history.
But while cycling's uneasy relationship with doping continues, scientific gains have been made amongst the agencies trying to catch those who cheat, with the introduction of the Athlete Biological Passport (ABP) at the beginning of the 2008 race season by the UCI.
The World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) is the ruling authority on anti-doping for more than 600 sports organisations around the world, including cycling's international body, the UCI.
Latest
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Steroids found in pro cyclist’s anti-doping test sample
Antwan Tolhoek has been provisionally suspended by the UCI while proceedings are ongoing
By Tom Davidson Last updated
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Jonas Vingegaard reveals he missed an anti-doping test
'It's not great to have a missed test hanging over you,' says Tour de France champion
By Tom Davidson Published
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Jumbo-Visma rider Michel Hessmann suspended after positive anti-doping test
The 22-year-old's out-of-competition sample detected the presence of diuretics
By Tom Davidson Published
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Former British Cycling doctor Richard Freeman given four-year doping ban
Freeman chose not to defend himself before the anti-doping panel
By Tom Davidson Published
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'We are not cheaters' says Belgian rider Shari Bossuyt after anti-doping positive
The Canyon-SRAM rider tested positive for Letrozole in an anti-doping control in March
By Tom Davidson Published
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Convicted EPO doper Jarlinson Pantano returns to cycling with Colombian EPM team
Former Trek-Segafredo and IAM Cycling rider rejoins peloton after his four-year band expires
By Adam Becket Published
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"Failing that drug test was the best thing that had ever happened to me"
Abuse victim and disgraced cycling champion Geneviève Jeanson finds solace in return to bike racing
By Anne-Marije Rook Published
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29 cases of alleged doping recorded in cycling in 2022, but only one at WorldTour
Most came from semi-professional ranks, MPCC finds
By Tom Davidson Published
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Spanish police crack down on doping ring, former Kelme coach questioned
Miguel Ángel López denies any involvement in statement
By Adam Becket Last updated