At the end of 2024, the MPCC noted that the number of doping cases and sporting fraud in cycling was lower than in 2023. Beyond these figures specific to our sport, our movement wonders about the state of the fight against doping in other disciplines and the various cases that have undermined the credibility of certain bodies dedicated to this fight.
For 17 years, the MPCC has been committed to cycling that is credible in its most general sense, and has never ceased to emphasise its responsibility towards all those involved in the sport, be they riders, riders’ representatives, team managers, support staffs or race organisers. While the health status in the peloton has undeniably improved over the last fifteen years, our movement has always opted to be cautious and reminded everyone that we must be active in the fight against doping if our sport is to continue to live. This fight is still relevant today, as the ever-increasing professionalisation of teams is reflected in ever more scientific training methods, pushing riders to their limits. Some of them have even said that they practice a very different sport from the one they started out in.
This is a positive sign that cycling is still in search of maturity and is open to progress, but that it has not abandoned its spirit of human-scale practice, close to its supporters, accessible to everyone and friendly. However, the extraordinary performances of some of the world’s top cyclists have raised again the shadow of cheating among some of the sport’s followers. Careful about doping practices, the MPCC was quick to warn cycling world, in mid-2024, when misuse of drugs (use of Tapentadol, reputed to be more powerful than Tramadol, banned by WADA) or performance-enhancing methods close to doping (carbon monoxide inhalation) came to light. These practices show that for some people « anything that isn’t banned is allowed » and that they don’t want to be « involved in the fight against doping ». Unfortunately, these manners fuel suspicion for our athletes and our sport.
Being active in the fight against doping
CLARIFICATION NEEDED ON SOME PRACTICES
With these threats to the credibility of cycling, we hope that new red lines will be clearly drawn. The MPCC and its members are still waiting for the results of an impact assessment on ketones and, as the UCI, do not advise their use from 2019, pending the results of this study. They also hope that the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) will quickly take a position, particularly on carbon monoxide inhalation. On 19 November 2024, the MPCC formally asked WADA for a rapid ban on these practices. There has been no response to date. Carbon monoxide carries a potentially fatal risk if taken in an uncontrolled way, and its inhalation is, at the same time, in the grey area of prohibited methods by the WADA. In fact, carbon monoxide prevents the blood from transporting oxygen, thereby promoting the hypoxia sought after in high-altitude training camps. Its treatment could fall into the category of « Manipulation of blood or blood components » established by WADA. Caution is therefore still called for, not only for the sake of the integrity of the competitions but also for the health of the riders, who are first and foremost involved in cycling.
In this context, we finally counted 22 doping cases and/or sports frauds among road, track, mountain bike and BMX professionals, as well as in para-cycling at international level. The total for 2024 is therefore lower than the 28 cases recorded in 2023. Nearly two-thirds of the incriminated athletes were competing at Continental level at the time of their positive test or breach of a sporting regulation. Two of these riders were racing at World Tour level and in teams that were members of our movement at the time these cases came to light. These teams strictly applied our rule no. 1: immediately suspend a rider when a positive test is announced.
TENNIS IN TROUBLE
However, the MPCC regrets that other non-member teams did not adopt a stricter attitude towards suspended riders, who were quickly able to return to competition after serving suspensions. Once again, this is not being « active in the fight against doping ». The news over the last few months strengthen our position on antidoping, not just for cycling but for sport in general. Cycling is only the ninth sport most affected by doping, far behind athletics (172 cases recorded) and strength athletics (92 cases in weightlifting, 66 in powerlifting). The upward trend was confirmed for mixed martial arts (27 cases), the figures for which can be explained by the legalisation of this discipline in France from 1 January 2020 and the consequent increase in the number of tournaments likely to be inspected by the AFLD (the French antidoping agency). The number of doping cases is higher both in France and in the United States, which remains the core of this sport.
This review could not be concluded without mention of the shocks that have hit the tennis elite, both men’s and women’s, as two of its stars have been named in cases : Jannik Sinner, world No. 1 who tested positive for Clostebol in March and was subsequently cleared by the ITIA, the International Tennis Integrity Agency, and Iga Swiatek, considered to be the best clay-court player in the world and also world No. 1 last year. The Pole player was suspended for a month for TMZ contamination (Trimetazidine). In the Sinner case, WADA has already decided to appeal against the decision (arbitration procedure on 16 and 17 April to the Court of Arbitration for Sport).
WADA IS CHALLENGED
The organisation that rules the fight against doping at world scale, and whose credibility has been under attack for several years from its American counterpart (USADA), also faces a number of challenges : reassuring its effectiveness after the Chinese swimmers‘ scandal, which was kept for three years but revealed by the press last spring; dealing with the refusal of the Office of National Drug Control Policy (ONDCP) to pay the American contribution to the 2025 budget; and ensuring that the World Code is respected by as many countries as possible, which must adapt their legislation or risk jeopardising their athletes’ participation in international events.
These challenges show that the fight against doping can sometimes be a daunting task, requiring significant financial resources and especially the unity of all those involved in sport (sports associations, athletes, federations, events organisers). The attitude must be uncompromising towards cheaters, because the credibility of sport as a whole depends on it. It is for all these reasons that the MPCC insists that everyone becomes « active in the fight against doping ». Because this has to be the way to win this match.