The cycling race “Tour de France” is becoming a complete mockery. All the cyclists know that taking forbidden substances is not allowed. But in quick succession Vinokourov, Moreni and even the yellow jersey Michael Rasmussen have been caught. The French press has declared the Tour to be death. France Soir and Libération have stopped covering the Tour and are not publishing race results anymore.
The basic flaw is not really medical, but rather commercial. Too much money is involved. The Flemish city of Gent paid a huge amount just to host the finish of one race. Sponsors are spending millions, increasing the pressure on their team to win. The race is becoming ever more difficult. Taking forbidden substances or blood transfusions becomes very attractive. Some are calling for a legalization of doping, but that would open the door to even more hanky-panky. If you allow doping it is the health of the cyclists which will be endangered.
The answer is to keep the aggressive anti-doping tests to screen out the cheaters on the one hand, and reduce the money element on the other hand. Throw out the advertising on the cyclists shirts. If companies want to sponsor, the can sponsor the Tour, not individual teams. With less commercial pressure to win at all costs, taking forbidden substances will lose its attractiveness.
