"We don't know if we are ready for this form of doping" - Belgian expert suggests ITA might've suspected gene manipulation
Cycling
The topic of doping has returned to the cycling community after anti-doping authorities paid a late night visit to Tadej Pogacar and Jonas Vingegaard ahead of key stage 15 of the 2026 Tour de France. While Pogacar took the stage in a leisurely pace, for his rival the consequences of interrupted sleep were catastrophic as a late-stage crash caused him to abandon the race while second overall.
The results of this "investigation" will not be known for a while. In the meantime, we may only speculate on what could've the authorities' concern to pick up such drastic measures. Head of the Ghent doping control lab Peter Van Eenoo proposes one possibility:
"You will be introducing or altering some genetic material somewhere. In the past, we really thought we had to change our DNA, but that doesn't have to be so drastic," explains Van Eenoo on De Avondetappe.
"The coronavirus vaccine, for example, is a form of gene therapy. You introduce mRNA (a molecule that transmits genetic instructions from DNA, ed.), and that triggers the production of a protein that gives our immune system a boost."
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While genetic modification allowed several breakthroughs on the field of medicine, Van Eenoo points out that it may be just as easily used for personal gain in the sport of cycling.
"You could just as easily have a protein synthesized, which then leads to the production of EPO or growth hormones. My fear is that the same methodology, which worked fantastically during the corona pandemic, will be used as a new doping agent," said Van Eenoo. "We have three methods to detect doping, but we do not know if we are ready for this form of doping."
Jonas Vingegaard and Tadej Pogacar
But what is the difference compared to the 'classic' forms of doping? "With those, you introduce products that are, in principle, self-acting. What you are doing here is introducing something that your body will synthesize itself. That then disappears from your body within three days. But the consequences, the process that has been set in motion, last for months. Here, you are dealing with a system where you can increase or decrease production."
Is gene doping completely undetectable then? "It is not that it is completely undetectable. You still have those changes, and the blood passport looks at endogenous values that fluctuate. If you use gene doping, you see fluctuations. So we do have indirect methods to detect it, but indirect methods are always less powerful than direct methods, where you can effectively say: this is synthetic EPO or testosterone."
It could well be happening already
Then the question is at hand; does the expert suspect gene therapy is ready for use in professional cycling? "I wouldn’t dare say no to that answer," Van Eenoo reveals after a long silence. "That would be very naive. I suspect not, but I am not sure. I think it is very difficult for an individual to apply this, but I do think it is within the capabilities of certain countries."
Ondrej ZhasilCycling Journalist
Ondřej Zhasil is a cycling journalist at CyclingUpToDate and has been part of the team since 2023. He is based in Ostrava, the third-largest city in the Czech Republic, and covers professional cycling across the main UCI competitions, including the Tour de France, the Giro d’Italia, and La Vuelta a España. A key focus of his work is startlist analysis and pre-race coverage, where he examines team selections, rider line-ups, and tactical scenarios ahead of major events.
Alongside WorldTour coverage, Ondřej has developed specific expertise in junior cycling and in racing across East Asia, including competitions in China and Japan. He also maintains a broad working knowledge of other disciplines and levels, including cyclocross, while continuing to expand his understanding of mountain bike racing.
Ondřej holds a bachelor’s degree in Mathematics and Physics, which supports his analytical, data-driven approach to performance and race analysis. In his reporting, he regularly uses ProCyclingStats for results, statistics, and historical context. He places strong emphasis on careful sourcing, editorial accuracy, and updating articles promptly when new, verified information becomes available.
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- this is just stupid. you already have 23%, gravel is over the topabstractengineer03-11-2026
- There was once a time when Lance was supremely popular and he used his artificial "It's Not About the Bike: My Journey Back to Life" persona to lead his mob in going after Greg. There was no one Lance did not abuse in protecting his phony hero image. Lance promoted himself as a divine megastar and he let down millions of cancer victims and gullible devotees who clung far too long to the charade. Lance is the epitome of a corrupt person and because of his power, many around him, including business enterprises, succumbed to the evil. All who got in Armstrong's way were mercilessly attacked by him and his minions. This remarkably continues today with a new generation. LeMond was a number one enemy and paid a huge price. Who do you think slandered who?Yepperoni03-11-2026
- You despise him because he calls out the truth....OK clown !frieders303-11-2026
- JV is really slighting himself with not doing the 1 dayers.. 🤷
leedorney02-11-2026 - Watch the interview on youtube. I don't speak French. I do speak English and Spanish and you can hear it in his voice. Years ago LeMond had real personal problems I imagine in no small part because of Armstrong. then Armstrong goes round "full blast" re: LeMond having drinking and drug problems. The same way Andreu was expelled from mainstream cycling so was LeMond. On the positive side the clips of the ride and chatting with old teammates and was good. To seemed like a fun day and experience and good reason brush up his French.atom02-11-2026
- and another no-news article around the ‚2 tokyo jogging rounds‘ headline, this time spiced with some days old ‚news‘ that the LA and japan vacation trips come during or after the tdf route release. i am getting more and more annoyed by this time-stealing no-news crap. but who am i to complain? nobody forces me to come back for more ‚news‘ day after day …Ketterechts02-11-2026
- It would likely be a very steep section of 4.1 km, not changing the average gradient considerably, with the climb remaining 10.1 km at 11.8%. It would reach 20% on the gravel. It would start 1.6 km in, and finish with 4.2 km left to climb (before the short final descent)
Rafionain-Glas02-11-2026 - Welcome to the off-season.
santiagobenites02-11-2026 - guillaume martin in this list is quite a surprise as a gc rider.Ketterechts02-11-2026
- Who cares what Bruyneel thinks. He and his best mate Lance, the biggest fraud in the history of sport, have no place commenting on anything but how to lie and cheat!whit2pet02-11-2026
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