I have no hard evidence (no one does), but as someone who’s followed cycling for decades I’m increasingly convinced that some performances today simply don’t add up...
What could possibly explain this? 3 possibilities (the one more likely than the other):
1. Genetic manipulation (e.g. PGC‑1α)
2. AICAR and metabolic modulators
3. Mechanical assistance (inductive / electromagnetic systems)
...If that makes me skeptical, so be it.
I've followed pro cycling since I was 12, so about 40 years now. I grew up in an area/era where cycling was not considered a real sport. I was never fast enough to race, realizing now it's mostly because I had no access to anyone with any knowledge. And if I'm honest, the sport I really love is motorcycle racing, so I am more of a cycling enthusiast having been exposed to the pro ranks at a relatively young age. Thanks Greg LeMond!
Anyways, after reading the comments here over the past weeks, I am convinced that it isn't just one but all three of your decided possibilities. I think it is a win at all cost situation. I also think that the UC I has convinced themselves that if the record times don't continue to fall, that the public will lose interest, sponsors will leave, their budgets will fall and no one will be able to afford new Audi's every other year. It's very similar to the mindset of a corporation - profit line must go up or investors not happy, consequences be dammed.
There's a similar phenomenon going on in MotoGP right now with the promotion of certain riders over others and some open talk amongst those in the racing paddock about the allocation of special tires, rev-limiting, etc. It's no fun being in this moment where fraud seems to be rampant everywhere, but I guess that is just a consequence of the times we live in, or maybe things have always been this way...
I find it hard to believe that one would take medications/therapies to their own body, risking god knows what kinds of cancer or blood dyscrasias without taking the option of mechanical doping should it be available.