The world of professional cycling is once again grappling with the specter of doping, as reigning Tour de France champion Jonas Vingegaard calls for a ban on the controversial practice of carbon monoxide rebreathing. The Danish rider, who races for Team Visma-Lease a Bike, spoke out about the issue in a recent interview with Le Monde, urging the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) to take action.
The Double-Edged Sword of Carbon Monoxide
Carbon monoxide rebreathing involves inhaling small doses of the toxic gas to stimulate the body’s production of red blood cells, which can enhance oxygen delivery to muscles and boost endurance. While Vingegaard acknowledged that his own team uses the method legitimately to measure blood volume and hemoglobin mass, he expressed concern that some riders are abusing it for performance enhancement.
My team uses carbon monoxide to measure blood volume and total hemoglobin mass… But some are using the method to dope by regularly inhaling low doses of carbon monoxide, which leads to a significant increase in the performance.
– Jonas Vingegaard, 2-time Tour de France winner
A Fine Line Between Training and Doping
The revelations have once again blurred the lines between legitimate training techniques and illicit doping in the high-stakes world of professional cycling. Carbon monoxide rebreathing, when used properly, can provide valuable data to optimize altitude training and monitor key blood parameters. But the potential for abuse is high, as small regular doses can artificially boost oxygen-carrying capacity in a way that mimics blood doping.
Pressure Mounts on WADA for a Ban
Vingegaard’s call for WADA to prohibit the practice entirely adds to the growing pressure on the anti-doping agency to address the issue. The UCI, cycling’s governing body, has already announced plans to discuss a possible ban on carbon monoxide rebreathing at an upcoming meeting, citing potential health risks like headaches, breathing difficulties, and even loss of consciousness from repeated inhalation in non-medical settings.
Pogacar’s Dominance Raises Eyebrows
The timing of Vingegaard’s comments is notable, as they come on the heels of Tadej Pogacar‘s historic 2024 season. The Slovenian phenom achieved cycling’s prestigious “triple crown” by winning the Giro d’Italia, the Tour de France, and the world road race championship in the same year, a feat not seen since 1993. While Vingegaard expressed admiration for Pogacar’s accomplishments, he also acknowledged the inevitable doubts surrounding such dominant performances in a sport long plagued by doping scandals.
I understand the doubts surrounding his performances, but he has set new standards that we now need to reach. He is the best rider in the world. That being said, the gap between us is not that big.
– Jonas Vingegaard on Tadej Pogacar
The Fight for Clean Sport Continues
As the cycling world awaits WADA’s response to Vingegaard’s call for action, the controversy serves as a stark reminder of the ongoing battle to keep the sport clean. While advanced training methods and remarkable talents like Pogacar continue to push the boundaries of human performance, the specter of doping still looms large. For many fans and riders alike, the hope is that stricter regulations and more robust testing can help ensure a level playing field, so that the most talented and dedicated athletes can shine without the cloud of suspicion.
The Road Ahead for Vingegaard and Cycling
For Vingegaard, who finished a distant second to Pogacar in the 2024 Tour de France after a crash hampered his preparation, the focus now turns to the future. The Danish star has his sights set on reclaiming the yellow jersey in 2025, and he’ll need every legal advantage to close the gap to his seemingly invincible rival. But as he continues to train and innovate, Vingegaard remains committed to competing the right way, as a clean athlete and a vocal advocate for the integrity of his sport. The road ahead may be long and challenging, but with principled leaders like Vingegaard at the helm, professional cycling just might have a chance to pedal out of the shadows of its troubled past and into a brighter, cleaner future.
