French actor Marc Fayet weighs in carbon monoxide controversy - but what does Bernard Sainz have to do with it?

One of the most controversial topics of the 2024 cycling season was riders’ use of carbon monoxide to boost their performance. Riders like Tadej Pogacar and Jonas Vingegaard confirmed they had used it, but is it legal? Yes, for now, but is it moral? That’s what many cycling fans are less sure about, and rightfully so given the sports troubled past with those bending and outright breaking the laws.

In his column for Cyclism'Actu, actor and cycling enthusiast Marc Fayet spoke of the ethical concerns surrounding the use of carbon monoxide and other substances in cycling. He recounts a recent encounter in Paris with a man he believed to be Bernard Sainz, also known as "Dr. Mabuse," a man infamous for his involvement in doping scandals. This sighting led Fayet to reflect on the persistent issues of doping and the moral ambiguities in the sport.

Fayet notes that, especially in November, cyclists are in a period of reflection and preparation for the upcoming season. He suggests that during this time, some may be tempted to seek illegal methods to enhance performances for the following season. He states, "Yet at a time when rumours about carbon monoxide machines, ketones, and other microdoses are current, the prescriptions of the dubious doctor, like the one I thought I recognized, seem to be outdated."

Though not a licensed medical professional, Sainz became known as ‘Dr. Mabuse’ for providing cyclists with unregulated substances and alternative remedies allegedly aimed at enhancing performance.

His methods often violated legal boundaries, and over the years Sainz faced numerous investigations and legal troubles, including a 2018 conviction for doping-related offenses. Many cycling fans will shudder at the mention of his name, as he reminds them of Michele Ferrari, the infamous Italian doctor who led Lance Armstrong’s EPO campaign in the sport. Like Sainz, Ferrari was investigated for his offences, and was found guilty of sporting fraud back in 2004.