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Cycling Becomes a Cleaner Sport, Not a Safer One Cycling Becomes a Cleaner Sport, Not a Safer One
(7 days later)
A child’s sporting dream is precious. My dream to become a professional cyclist fueled a childhood of thrilling excursions, a healthy adolescence and lifelong friendships. Many of my peers in the professional peloton shared the dream. But, as I realized my goals, I found reality was far from what I had imagined.A child’s sporting dream is precious. My dream to become a professional cyclist fueled a childhood of thrilling excursions, a healthy adolescence and lifelong friendships. Many of my peers in the professional peloton shared the dream. But, as I realized my goals, I found reality was far from what I had imagined.
A decade ago, professional cycling was a ruthless place where cyclists were pressured to push their bodies to unhealthy limits and encouraged to take performance-enhancing drugs. Contracts were rarely longer than a year or two, many riders were paid wages below the poverty level, and the racing season was relentlessly long. There was little glamour to the job. But it was a job I chose and persisted at even after I made unethical, unacceptable decisions I deeply regret.A decade ago, professional cycling was a ruthless place where cyclists were pressured to push their bodies to unhealthy limits and encouraged to take performance-enhancing drugs. Contracts were rarely longer than a year or two, many riders were paid wages below the poverty level, and the racing season was relentlessly long. There was little glamour to the job. But it was a job I chose and persisted at even after I made unethical, unacceptable decisions I deeply regret.
The sport has become more humane in recent years, but the evolution must continue. Most of the images in my dreams have now become reality. There are many teams committed to racing clean, respecting their riders and providing proper care. But more needs to be done if the sport is to shake its past.The sport has become more humane in recent years, but the evolution must continue. Most of the images in my dreams have now become reality. There are many teams committed to racing clean, respecting their riders and providing proper care. But more needs to be done if the sport is to shake its past.
Pro cycling needs to be restructured.Pro cycling needs to be restructured.
The environment remains precarious on every level. Cyclists are required to sacrifice most other aspects of their lives to reach the top. Virtually year-round, we lead ascetic lives, where each movement on and off our bikes is calculated so we will perform to the best of our abilities. The demands are high.The environment remains precarious on every level. Cyclists are required to sacrifice most other aspects of their lives to reach the top. Virtually year-round, we lead ascetic lives, where each movement on and off our bikes is calculated so we will perform to the best of our abilities. The demands are high.
We leave home when we are young and quit school to enter the bubble of pro sports. Inside the bubble, we are sealed off from our families, our lifelong friends and foundation. We live in a world in which we are only as good as our last race, and the next race is the priority.We leave home when we are young and quit school to enter the bubble of pro sports. Inside the bubble, we are sealed off from our families, our lifelong friends and foundation. We live in a world in which we are only as good as our last race, and the next race is the priority.
Pro teams, which are financed with sponsorship and do not share in television rights, are a liability. Their existence is dependent on victories and results points maintained by the International Cycling Union, or the U.C.I., as it is better known. Teams that do not continue to build points lose their position in the WorldTour, the elite group of teams allowed to race in the top events like the Tour de France. Sponsors’ money swiftly disappears.Pro teams, which are financed with sponsorship and do not share in television rights, are a liability. Their existence is dependent on victories and results points maintained by the International Cycling Union, or the U.C.I., as it is better known. Teams that do not continue to build points lose their position in the WorldTour, the elite group of teams allowed to race in the top events like the Tour de France. Sponsors’ money swiftly disappears.
Cycling must follow the long-established pattern of most pro sports, developing a league in which teams are stable and sustainable and where all profits are shared. The continual pressure to perform and to survive results in poor judgment and bad advice. When teams and riders are always in survival mode, ethical lines are easily crossed.Cycling must follow the long-established pattern of most pro sports, developing a league in which teams are stable and sustainable and where all profits are shared. The continual pressure to perform and to survive results in poor judgment and bad advice. When teams and riders are always in survival mode, ethical lines are easily crossed.
Throughout much of my career, from my first races with the Canadian national team as a teenager, I was poorly advised. I often questioned the specialists. But ultimately, and stupidly, I set aside my doubts to start the next race. No athlete wants to be out of competition with an injury, and many will often risk damaging their bodies to compete.Throughout much of my career, from my first races with the Canadian national team as a teenager, I was poorly advised. I often questioned the specialists. But ultimately, and stupidly, I set aside my doubts to start the next race. No athlete wants to be out of competition with an injury, and many will often risk damaging their bodies to compete.
Too many times I have climbed back on my bike with broken bones to finish a race. Others have raced with concussions, often encouraged by their sporting directors or managers to continue. Like racehorses, cyclists are often patched up and set off, to help the team or to get a result.Too many times I have climbed back on my bike with broken bones to finish a race. Others have raced with concussions, often encouraged by their sporting directors or managers to continue. Like racehorses, cyclists are often patched up and set off, to help the team or to get a result.
A decade ago, doping was tolerated and even encouraged. The risks and consequences fell to the riders. Although I accept full responsibility for my decision to follow that path, the problem was endemic and involved people on every level of the sport, most of whom profited far more than the riders. Many cyclists, who came from families living below the poverty line, saw doping as a way to survive and to make a living that exceeded what they could make on the farm or one that, at the very least, beat unemployment benefits.A decade ago, doping was tolerated and even encouraged. The risks and consequences fell to the riders. Although I accept full responsibility for my decision to follow that path, the problem was endemic and involved people on every level of the sport, most of whom profited far more than the riders. Many cyclists, who came from families living below the poverty line, saw doping as a way to survive and to make a living that exceeded what they could make on the farm or one that, at the very least, beat unemployment benefits.
Fortunately, because of improved testing and increasing intolerance of banned substances, riders can now win the toughest races without drugs. For six years, I have raced clean and performed. Many of my teammates, who I am confident were also clean, won at the highest level. But there is still work to be done.Fortunately, because of improved testing and increasing intolerance of banned substances, riders can now win the toughest races without drugs. For six years, I have raced clean and performed. Many of my teammates, who I am confident were also clean, won at the highest level. But there is still work to be done.
Those of us who doped and lied and those who were accomplices and witnesses remained silent for a long time in a misguided attempt to protect our jobs, our reputations, our teams’ sponsorships and the image of the sport. It was wrong. We followed a code of silence guarding an unhealthy culture. Riders, staff and officials must not fear speaking the truth. When they do, real reforms will follow.Those of us who doped and lied and those who were accomplices and witnesses remained silent for a long time in a misguided attempt to protect our jobs, our reputations, our teams’ sponsorships and the image of the sport. It was wrong. We followed a code of silence guarding an unhealthy culture. Riders, staff and officials must not fear speaking the truth. When they do, real reforms will follow.
The cyclists’ health and futures are still not always a priority. The demands on the athlete have increased as the sport has become more international. The peloton follows the sun, making the season virtually year-round. Most of us are away from home for roughly 200 days a year and race 90 days.The cyclists’ health and futures are still not always a priority. The demands on the athlete have increased as the sport has become more international. The peloton follows the sun, making the season virtually year-round. Most of us are away from home for roughly 200 days a year and race 90 days.
At home, we continue training, resting one or maybe two days a week. The off-season, when we can let our bodies rest and recover, is vanishing. Our time off the bike is limited to two weeks to a month, at the end of October and into November. When we are not at the races, we are often in training camps to maintain our fitness. To tolerate the races and the lifestyle, far too many riders rely on addictive sleeping pills and painkillers that are permitted but extremely strong. Team doctors hand them out without considering the long-term effects.At home, we continue training, resting one or maybe two days a week. The off-season, when we can let our bodies rest and recover, is vanishing. Our time off the bike is limited to two weeks to a month, at the end of October and into November. When we are not at the races, we are often in training camps to maintain our fitness. To tolerate the races and the lifestyle, far too many riders rely on addictive sleeping pills and painkillers that are permitted but extremely strong. Team doctors hand them out without considering the long-term effects.
The U.C.I. has been reactive instead of proactive in its approach to many of the sport’s greatest problems. Doping was seriously addressed only after the 1998 Festina Affair, a police raid that uncovered the systematic doping at the Tour de France, made the problem public and official denial impossible. Testing was improved, but it was not enough. The riders’ health often remained secondary to performance and profits, and the environment remained toxic.The U.C.I. has been reactive instead of proactive in its approach to many of the sport’s greatest problems. Doping was seriously addressed only after the 1998 Festina Affair, a police raid that uncovered the systematic doping at the Tour de France, made the problem public and official denial impossible. Testing was improved, but it was not enough. The riders’ health often remained secondary to performance and profits, and the environment remained toxic.
Races have become increasingly dangerous in the last 10 years, and serious injuries more common. Yet, as it once did with doping, the U.C.I. denies there is a problem or blames the riders. Its role is to ensure we race on safe courses and to protect the athletes. After Wouter Weylandt died while racing in the 2011 Giro d’Italia, there was little investigation. A death on a mountainside is “part of the sport.” Sadly, the cycling world accepts the excuse. As a parent of two young boys, and a fan, I don’t.Races have become increasingly dangerous in the last 10 years, and serious injuries more common. Yet, as it once did with doping, the U.C.I. denies there is a problem or blames the riders. Its role is to ensure we race on safe courses and to protect the athletes. After Wouter Weylandt died while racing in the 2011 Giro d’Italia, there was little investigation. A death on a mountainside is “part of the sport.” Sadly, the cycling world accepts the excuse. As a parent of two young boys, and a fan, I don’t.
Formula One became safer and more sustainable after Ayrton Senna’s death in 1994, as the leaders of the sport banded together and solved the safety problems. The changes were sweeping and swift. We should not accept the risks, becoming numb to the consequences. Yet we have and we do. In the current structure, our voice is virtually mute and our representation weak. Continually battling one another for rankings points, we have little solidarity. Cyclists give in to the power above, because if we speak too loudly, we risk losing our tenuous jobs; many team managers have the same fears. If we speak too loudly, we are reprimanded for damaging the image of the sport that feeds us, a sport we love. So we follow the line and feed the culture that will eventually be our ruin.Formula One became safer and more sustainable after Ayrton Senna’s death in 1994, as the leaders of the sport banded together and solved the safety problems. The changes were sweeping and swift. We should not accept the risks, becoming numb to the consequences. Yet we have and we do. In the current structure, our voice is virtually mute and our representation weak. Continually battling one another for rankings points, we have little solidarity. Cyclists give in to the power above, because if we speak too loudly, we risk losing our tenuous jobs; many team managers have the same fears. If we speak too loudly, we are reprimanded for damaging the image of the sport that feeds us, a sport we love. So we follow the line and feed the culture that will eventually be our ruin.
The greatest shift can occur if national governments have a role in forcing change. They have a stake in the sport, as road cycling is reliant on public roads, city centers and national parkland, as well as police services and planning departments, among others.The greatest shift can occur if national governments have a role in forcing change. They have a stake in the sport, as road cycling is reliant on public roads, city centers and national parkland, as well as police services and planning departments, among others.
Cycling is the people’s sport, free to watch from a doorstep or on a mountainside. It is a beautiful and intriguing to see. It can be liberating, healthy, sustainable and fun. It is an activity many governments around the world promote to improve their citizens’ health and to decrease road congestion. Pro cycling helps encourage people to ride to work, to pedal away in the gym or to tour the countryside. It is a sport that belongs to us all.Cycling is the people’s sport, free to watch from a doorstep or on a mountainside. It is a beautiful and intriguing to see. It can be liberating, healthy, sustainable and fun. It is an activity many governments around the world promote to improve their citizens’ health and to decrease road congestion. Pro cycling helps encourage people to ride to work, to pedal away in the gym or to tour the countryside. It is a sport that belongs to us all.
The evolution must persist. The sport cannot continue to risk crushing our children’s dreams and damaging lives.The evolution must persist. The sport cannot continue to risk crushing our children’s dreams and damaging lives.

This article has been revised to reflect the following correction:

Correction: October 22, 2012

A picture caption on Tuesday with an essay about the ways to restructure professional cycling in the wake of the Lance Armstrong doping case omitted the photographer’s name in some editions. The picture of the essay’s author, Michael Barry, racing with the United States Postal Service team was taken by Franck Fife of Agence France-Presse — Getty Images.