The Tour de Farce. I wonder which blood doper will win it this year?
Same as always, the one who dopes best without getting caught.
The last TdF winner who was beyond all suspicion was Greg Lemond in 1990. Then Miguel Indurain won the next five "on the trot."
Except Indurain was the classic "plowhorse to racehorse" transformation that characterizes EPO users. He abandoned in 1985 -- his first TdF -- after just four stages. And abandoned again in 1986. Then he came 97th in 1987, 47th in in 1988, 17th in 1989, and 10th in 1990.
And after previously never once having been in contention to win GC, he won five straight starting in 1991. This is, as Lance Pharmstrong would say, "Not normal."
It bears mention that EPO reached the pro peloton probably in 1987 but certainly by 1988.
It also bears mention that after finding himself so much slower than his competition in 1991 and 1992, Greg Lemond went off in search of the undiagnosed malady that was robbing him of his cycling prowess.
There was no direct test for EPO until 1996 but Indurain without doubt was the TdF's first EPO-charged racer.