What drugs are used in Cycling: Facts & Figures
EPO, Testosterone, and Stanozolol: Examining the banned substances plaguing professional cycling and the countries with the highest positive tests.
Orofessional cycling has been marred by doping scandals over the years. Casting a shadow on the sport's integrity. In this article, we use the data in the Anti-Doping Database to explore the prevalence of banned substances in cycling. From Erythropoietin (EPO) to Testosterone and Stanozolol; we unravel the statistics and uncover the countries most affected by doping cases.
EPO: The Notorious Blood Booster
Erythropoietin (EPO), a naturally occurring hormone, plays a crucial role in red blood cell production. However, in sport of cycling, it has become synonymous with doping, given its potential to enhance endurance by increasing oxygen-carrying capacity.
Some prominent names in cycling have tested positive for EPO or admitted to using the substance during competition. The notorious investigation around the US Pro cycling team - US Postal - revealed that both Levi Leipheimer and George Hincapie had used EPO, tarnishing their careers and the team's reputation.
According to our stats as of September 2020, Italian riders top the list for EPO positive tests, followed closely by cyclists from France and the USA.
Testosterone: An Anabolic Dilemma
Testosterone, another banned substance, belongs to the category of Anabolic Steroids and is notorious for its muscle-building effects. Like EPO, Testosterone usage has raised eyebrows in the cycling community.
The statistics from our database show that riders from the USA are most likely to test positive for Testosterone, highlighting the need for increased vigilance in this region. Italy and France follow, indicating that Anabolic Steroid usage is not limited to a specific group of cyclists.
Stanozolol: The Third Most Commonly Used Substance
Stanozolol, yet another Anabolic Steroid, ranks as the third most commonly used banned substance in cycling. Cyclists from Brazil, Italy, and Argentina are the primary offenders in Stanozolol-related doping cases.
The prevalence of Stanozolol usage among riders from these countries necessitates targeted anti-doping efforts and educational initiatives to discourage the use of performance-enhancing substances and protect the health and integrity of cyclists.
In the Spotlight: Doping in Professional Cycling
The dark shadow of doping continues to loom over professional cycling, presenting a challenging task for cycling federations, anti-doping agencies, athletes and event organizers.
In the 2023 edition of the Tour de France, the overall leader and winner of the race, Jonas Vingegaard of Denmark, was constantly asked about doping in cycling.
Disclaimer: The information presented in this blog post is based on available data and statistics as of September 2020 and may be subject to updates or changes as new information becomes available. It is essential for athletes and stakeholders to stay informed about the latest anti-doping regulations and developments in the world of professional cycling.
10 years of doping in cycling 2013-2022
| Year | Number of banned athletes |
|---|---|
| Total: 1357 registered cases | |
| 2013 | 89 |
| 2014 | 61 |
| 2015 | 57 |
| 2016 | 62 |
| 2017 | 63 |
| 2018 | 57 |
| 2019 | 53 |
| 2020 | 22 |
| 2021 | 26 |
| 2022 | 30 |