“Doping has been around since the beginning of time, but these are not the same products they use now” - French ex-pro sensationally accuses Tadej Pogacar

Someone in this thread suggested a new and undetectable PED. That is certainly in the realm of possibility. Someone else suggested that few cycling organizations have a real interest in catching a doper due to the damage it will do to the sport again. That seems to be fact. A new PED could exist that maybe 20 people on the planet know about. There is a tremendous incentive to develop one obviously. Until someone gets caught, enjoy the spectacle.

Another reason they give for improved rider performance today is earlier identification of talented riders whose numbers are "good".

It doesn't necessarily address the jump start that can happen given the benefit of doping before you turn pro that can provide years of benefit.

Could early doping influence a cyclist's biological passport, creating a standard for that cyclist, which would make it easier to hide later doping?

There's no evidence Pog is doping--he's been a phenomenon since he was a kid; ditto MVDP, WVA. They are not comparable to Armstrong & the others back then-- everyone was doping back then (despite which Armstrong blew them away). Get a life!

These comments are really disturbing, wonder how these people ever be at ease with so much distrust and hate! 🧘🏽🍿

Cycling is rife with people who have doped or have doping connections in the past. They are in key management positions. It is easy to dope than it is to check and get a positive test and sanction. Riders are typically only checked 4 times a year and so there exists a window for doping since doping products don't stay in the body for long. Doping can be used to reduce weight, increase muscle mass, reduce fatigue/improve recovery and/or improve oxygen carrying capacity and the gains(physical and monetary) are tremendous. The current big six- Pogi, Jonas, Remco, Roglic, MVDP, WVA have defied conventional wisdom for doping. No equipment gives this increase of performance, its coming from the rider. Nutrition and training methods have evolved but it cannot give this level of performance. Its either talent or doping There is no proof to say anybody is doping but there is no proof to say that anybody is not doping either. To convince of either there must be proof. Given cycling's past, it is always going to be suspect 50-50 either way.

Glad I read all these comments.

Now I know:
1) Climbing uphill faster than Dumoulin = doping.
(2) Being fast = doping.
(3) Winning “too many” stages = doping.
(4) Winning as a teenager= parents doping their kid
(5) Riding fast and winning races is suspicious. It’s totally fine to call out any of these riders as dopers

Ok, far too much focus on just one guy because of his exploits against a bunch of known inferior riders. Unless we start including others this will just sound like a witchhunt.

So, all of you convinced Pog is doped up and that the whole of cycling is hiding it, please add some other names seeing as you think doping is rampant all around, let’s limit it to the last 10 years so starting 2014 and focusing on GT candidates to keep it managable. Anyone want to start?

I recall Gianetti's rides in the Classics but they certainly made a impression and a spectacle, then he was sanctioned for doping, it never and will never end, doping in cycling and sport

Let the UCI just ban Pog, Jonas, and maybe Remco from all competition, because their performances are so incredibly unbelievable. I mean they all must be guilty of doping, right! And the only cyclists who do not dope must be those whose performances are 'normal' (read mediocre), so we should be happy with watching them racing against each other. No one cyclist will dominate, the peloton will never break up and all races will end in a sprint. That should please the fans who complain that 'doped' Pog and Jonas's dominance makes for boring racing.

Greg Lemond has some good analysis and commentary on why today's performances are totally plausible without doping.

I've noticed that current riders are NOT saying that other riders are doping. Would doing so hurt everyone's wallet? Would sponsors leave?

What’s the point in making allegations with no proof. Of course every cycling fan has a well founded fear that their favourite rider may turn out to be a doper and cheater in the long run. But until there is actual evidence we may as well just enjoy these incredible athletes.

So Tadej and Jonas are not superior athletes they have to be cheating is he saying the same about Usain bolt why can people not enjoy these amazing athletes and stop casting doubts

As always, these are just accusations without any proof. It's all very well to be cautious and vigilant given the history of the sport, but there's no basis for making accusations without any proof. What does Fignon's team-mate have to say to explain why his leader won the Tour de France in 1984 more than 10 minutes ahead of the runner-up?

That is funny: "Soon we will have to put bales of straw on the climbs.” 😂