Romain Bardet has once again made a plea in defense of a clean cycling away from the shadow of doping that, on numerous occasions, has overshadowed this modality. In statements collected by the Cyclingnews portal Bardet has been in favor of suspending some treatments that are carried out but that fall within the regulations and also regretted the drop in anti-doping controls due to the pandemic.
One of the most critical points that Bardet denounced was the use of ketones, a treatment that several teams resort to and that is not prohibited in the UCI regulations and that, according to him, is in the gray zone, on the limit. “The problem is that the rules are very permissive. We have been talking about ketones for two or three years and the Movement for Credible Cycling (MPCC) is working so that they are not used, but other teams say they will continue to use them. Anti-doping authorities will decide whether or not it’s banned, and that’s the problem because these substances are in the gray zone. The regulation is very permissive. We talk a lot about these substances, but what we have to do is ban them. “
Bardet also emphasizes that it is good to talk about these issues and the possibility of suppressing these substances, but that in most cases they realize late to be more strict in their control. “It is difficult, but it is also part of cycling because we always focus on these problems. It is good that we put it in the spotlight and that the media put it in the spotlight. For me, it always takes a long time until we realize that we have to be more strict on certain points. The same thing happened to us with Tramadol. “
The Frenchman also wanted to highlight the large drop in the number of anti-doping controls that have occurred in cycling, especially due to the pandemic, while pointing out that he has held several concentrations on Teide and that he has never been subjected to a doping control. “There is work to do, especially with the controls. They have fallen dramatically since the beginning of the pandemic and I say this from my own experience. If the same thing happens for everyone, then the sport must take more steps. There have always been suspicions about it. doping in cycling, but we can do a cleaner sport if we put pressure with more controls. Out of competition they have made me a control three or four times, or up to five if we count the biological passport. I have the experience of being for three or four weeks on Mount Teide without being tested and 25 other boys, the same. I know it means a lot of money, but cycling needs it. I’m sure the guys who are in charge of anti-doping are checking things, but overall I feel like the levels of control have dropped. “
