Hello Vital MTB Visitor,
We’re conducting a survey and would appreciate your input. Your answers will help Vital and the MTB industry better understand what riders like you want. Survey results will be used to recognize top brands. Make your voice heard!
Five lucky people will be selected at random to win a Vital MTB t-shirt.
Thanks in advance,
The Vital MTB Crew
However -- Richie and Jared are no strangers to WADA, nor the way WADA tests; it's always at least two of the top finishers and a few more randoms from the field, depending on the level of racing. As a pro who has constantly had to piss in a cup and pour my own urine from container to container, let me be clear: the import and security that WADA lends to the entire process of drug testing does not leave room for athletes to be unaware. Pros who have been tested know what I'm talking about, from the escorts at the finish line to having someone pat you down and then watch us pee. And getting caught up with WADA is no joke, either, which means as an athlete, I literally scour my supplements of ingredients on the banned list. It's part of the cost of being a pro athlete and keeping your sport honest.
Richie and Jared are on an organized team. They have managers, mechanics and coaches, as well as what I'd assume to be nutritionists or dietitians. Whether it was their personal failure or that of someone else, it's still a failed test that they declined B sample testing on. That's a big deal, especially as WADA enforcement was previously announced. These guys aren't strangers to any of this, but it doesn't make them bad guys. There will be an investigation, I promise you that, and after personally dealing with an 8-month-long WADA investigation into blood I received a few years back, I can tell you that they will be thorough as fuck. What comes out will come out when it comes out, and the speculation really doesn't help anyone, especially if the speculation is coming from a lack of experience or perspective.
Jesse is right -- its up to athletes to keep the sport clean and keep it all above the line in order for there to be a future for it. Look what's happening to road racing and the public opinion of doping as it is: do we really want to see that crap infect MTB?
1) "Doping for road" (EG, HGH, EPO, Steroid use) would *absolutely* have a positive impact on athlete performance in enduro racing. I really don't see how you could argue otherwise. Have you done an EWS level race? Many are soul crushing. The hardest efforts I've ever put forth on a bike have been in enduro racing. Most of my friends who have also raced for a long time in multiple disciplines concur. Allowing your body to use more oxygen (EPO) or be able to tweak your muscle build (using things like steroids or HGH) would absolutely put those athletes who use at a huge advantage. Massive actually. You'd stay a lot fresher through your day, and the efforts you could put out would remain a lot stronger than if you didn't have the oxygen carrying capability Plus, your training efforts could be more precise, with more "fuel in the tank" persay to work on bike handling, not just feeling schmammered all the time.
Obviously nothing makes up for bike handling in a sport that is balances fitness and skill on bike, but this sort of thing would still be a big positive for you.
2) I've looked far and wide for studies documenting athlete performance while on either higenamine or oxilofrine. They really don't exist (specific to these two drugs) so far as I can tell. Yes, I found beta 2 agonist performance enhancement study results suggesting they don't do much in the way of increase athlete performance - I found three studies actually. All three basically said in high intensity efforts performance was not improved (https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2657501/) but this again isn't specific to the drug mentioned nor the same delivery mechanism.
Stimulant research is well documented, and too varied. But again, there is nothing on Oxilofrine from a reliable source.
This is when things start to become subjective. Nobody knows how much they help, and as you indicated, everyone might respond differently to these drugs. Clearly Jared and Richie had a positive effect or they wouldn't have taken them. I also don't think they were taken as a placebo or "hey, it can't hurt!" (like sportlegs) variety of supplements, as Jarad noted the performance gain (slightly) in his Pinkbike interview
2) The EWS does not have a very specific testing protocol. As I've pointed out previously, their doping rules mention WADA zero times and does not lay out the process by which they (the EWS) will test. They basically defer to your local cycling federation. The only reason any athlete was tested during this round was it was on French soil, and France being France has their own screening at high level events. As far as I know, no other round was tested last season.
As others have pointed out, any half witted individual can figure out that basically means WADA level testing, but considering its the last bullet point in the back of the rule book, I really don't think its fair we just assume everyone "knew the process". It is not outlined how an athlete submits for a TUE (say for an asthma inhaler containing a beta 2 agonist - which even I've used) or similar.
3) I highly doubt Jared has a nutritionist. He might consult with somebody like this from time to time, but in chatting with him, he's as much a guru about nutrition as anyone. (go listen to the inside line with him) If anything, its his neurosis around this that put him in this mess in the first place. The dude LOVES to be dialed when it comes to this sort of thing. I think we all have some serious rose colored glasses about what top pro level enduro racers get as far as support. I'd wager its a lot less than most think.
4) Again, if you read the story you'll see there is an investigation (has been ongoing since the test came back negative) and there will be a hearing for both riders.
5) I think speculation here is actually a good thing. The EWS needs a kick in the pants with this to legitimize itself on the world stage. I also think we have every right to speculate as to "what these drugs do", and how material they are. I think that matters. I think intent too matters. The more insight we can gain through conversation is a good thing IMO.
Just my $0.02
As far as the chemical makeup and physiological responses, please don't: I literally have a background in fitness and a degree in exercise science, so thanks for the quick lesson on drug effects and responses, but... No. I actually DO race at a high level, played college sports and have an intimate understanding of endurance vs sprint efforts, fast and slow twitch fibers and the VO2 max required with different efforts and the effects of various drugs, which I cited as example in my first comment about caffeine consumption.
As to the investigation, I was simply offering up perspective as someone who's dealt with one. About the nutritionist, I gave an example of expertise -- whether it was Jared or a nutritionist, they both know the rules and outlines of what's allowed and what's going in his body. The end.
There are so many speculative and secondary-experience bullet points in your response that are, quite frankly, so fairly worthless in contrast that it's not worth more of my time to even address. But the point of a conversation is to gain as much information as possible and I was simply contributing my view -- it wasn't a challenge. Your entire approach to anyone who might have additional insight to this issue has been hilariously suffocating and as such, I'm just going to bow out now. Classic.
Your response could have just started with, No offense meant, but.....
I have no experience with doping, or being tested. I do however have a lot of experience with coffee. I will tell you it doesn't take very long at all to know if you have had to much coffee, and more so it doesn't take very long till you know what your body can handle and how to not end up with twitches, or shakes, etc. I know I have to stop drinking it by 2:30pm to get to bed on time as well. I can't scientifically understand how some can drink coffee at 8pm and then be asleep at 9. I do however understand that because of this I am certain caffeine affects people differently as do other stimulants. So..
I guess my point is you both have good (and bad) points. I am enjoying most thoughts on here. Both of yours for sure. I say keep it up, just keep it clean. (pun intended)
I'm a fan, btw. Hope the rehab goes well!
Do you have some kind of insecurity so that you are starting with conspiracy theories ?
the only possible "advantage" (or disadvantage if you want to dope) for European racers (depending on country ) is that they get tested a lot more times at national level races , so they are way more controlled .
I race National races in my country and some races have anti doping, if in the US they don't have it's a matter to deal with you federation instead of coming here with conspiracy theories .
This is not to say that American athletes can/will dope more or that EU athletes are 'cleaner', just that it is probably easier to find questionable/contaminated products in your local supermarket. I went to a 'health food' store last week and was reading some of their questionable labels and benefits and I found pre/pro-biotic and diet/fat burning pills for a cat.I mean, do what you want, but in NA you could seemingly sell someone a pile of sterilized poo if you claimed it cured cancer or caused weight loss.
English is not my native language but I hope I have made my point clear.
Now is explained.
This is not a shock to anyone... https://m.vitalmtb.com/videos/features/ENDURO-WORLD-SERIES-POV-Sven-Mar… skip to 4.35... or am I reading too much in to it ?
The facts that everyone escapes from is that they are professionals, they know the rules. I don’t accept the bullsh!t accidental poor excuse they are pushing.
You broke the rules, accept the sh!t that follows.
I.e, the drugs offset the poorer stamina/fitness associated with increased musculature to bring him up to a competitive level while still being ripped.
(Note: I'm not sure I agree with this, just trying to explain it. I don't think you can quantify RR's fitness compared with the rest of the field without actual testing so it's a bit speculative. Probably best to wait until we have all the information before anyone can make an informed decision one way or another)
https://www.bigbike-magazine.com/actu-olargues-fred-glo-cedric-carrez-j…
BB: Is it possible to ingest these products inadvertently?
JP from M: When you are a top athlete, it is entirely your responsibility to know what you are ingesting. There are prohibited substances and with them related substances. It's been like this since the beginning of the anti-doping fight and nobody is supposed to ignore it. The card of accidental ingestion is a defense that does not hold up very well ...
Graves, everyone is on the recovery trip and wont call him out for fear of being branded as satan!
I am pretty saddened by the mountain bike community. It appears that top level riders are now bigger than the sport.
I cant see the EWS taking this further, which is weak as f@ck!
So on the basis that drug taking is acceptable, lets all get on the programme!
Post a reply to: EWS Doping Thread Disappearance