That's not the same thing at all. We're talking about bans that are never disclosed but rather disguised as injuries or whatever.
The Cycling News forum is looking to add some volunteer moderators with Red Rick's recent retirement. If you're interested in helping keep our discussions on track, send a direct message to
In the meanwhile, please use the Report option if you see a post that doesn't fit within the forum rules.
Thanks!
Wiggins points to the adoption of the marginal gains concept by most professional teams as Sky’s main contribution: “Everyone is doing those things now. I was the first to do a [post-stage] warm-down on a turbo trainer, we turned up at the Giro in 2010 in skinsuits and everyone laughed, we brought in [aerodynamic] covered helmets. Tim Kerrison took us to Tenerife; that hotel [on Mount Teide] is booked year-round now.”
Benotti69 said:Some Skyfans have complained about the comparisons of Sky to USPS, but it must however continue
https://www.facebook.com/johanbruyneel/ ... 71301577:0
Look what Johan Bruyneel found in his garage from 2005.
Sky continuosly claim to be leaders in technology. Sadly Sky are only leaders in PR bull.
"in hindsight, yes, some things did look rather suspect",Benotti69 said:Wonder what else Sky 'raided' the USPS way for 'marginal gains' enhancements?
Benotti69 said:Wonder what else Sky 'raided' the USPS way for 'marginal gains' enhancements?
sniper said:"in hindsight, yes, some things did look rather suspect",Benotti69 said:Wonder what else Sky 'raided' the USPS way for 'marginal gains' enhancements?
"if only we'd known then what we know now"
"perhaps we should look at ourselves and conclude we could've been a tad bit less credulous"
(selection of phrases we'll read in the british press once the whole house of cards comes falling down, i'm giving it six to seven years)
MagnificentMerckx said:Benotti69 said:Wonder what else Sky 'raided' the USPS way for 'marginal gains' enhancements?
Sky are one of the biggest users of cortisone in the entire peloton. The manner in which they dominated 2012 Tour would not have been possible without it.
DirtyWorks said:MagnificentMerckx said:Benotti69 said:Wonder what else Sky 'raided' the USPS way for 'marginal gains' enhancements?
Sky are one of the biggest users of cortisone in the entire peloton. The manner in which they dominated 2012 Tour would not have been possible without it.
Isn't the cortisone catabolic though? I don't know enough about it.
blackcat said:cortisone/anti-inflammatories/corticoids/corticosteroids,
was the major PED class before EPO. allows someone to hammer 250km today, and be fresh to go au bloc 250 km tomorrow.
yes it's catabolic, i.e. eats away/breaks down muscle tissue, so basically has the opposite effect of HGH and anabolic steroids. So indeed, its not wise for a cyclist to overdo it.DirtyWorks said:MagnificentMerckx said:Benotti69 said:Wonder what else Sky 'raided' the USPS way for 'marginal gains' enhancements?
Sky are one of the biggest users of cortisone in the entire peloton. The manner in which they dominated 2012 Tour would not have been possible without it.
Isn't the cortisone catabolic though? I don't know enough about it.
sniper said:yes it's catabolic, i.e. eats away/breaks down muscle tissue, so basically has the opposite effect of HGH and anabolic steroids. So indeed, its not wise for a cyclist to overdo it.DirtyWorks said:MagnificentMerckx said:Benotti69 said:Wonder what else Sky 'raided' the USPS way for 'marginal gains' enhancements?
Sky are one of the biggest users of cortisone in the entire peloton. The manner in which they dominated 2012 Tour would not have been possible without it.
Isn't the cortisone catabolic though? I don't know enough about it.
The main benefits of cortisone are painkilling and recovery.
A 2011, very instructive Clinic thread on cortisone benefits:
viewtopic.php?t=13700
Cortisone abuse goes way back.
While Sky is probably using it at will, it's not likely the drug that gives them the edge.
what about them?MagnificentMerckx said:That is true. But what about all the different types of synthetic blood boosters that are now available and probably most of which are undectectable. ? One wonders what exactly is the recipe.
not a medical professional myself neither, tho I do know, that it might break down that tissue waste, but the tissue waste exists for a reason, and if you keep on banging out 250 km hammer fests day after day, your body is gunna give up the ghost.DirtyWorks said:blackcat said:cortisone/anti-inflammatories/corticoids/corticosteroids,
was the major PED class before EPO. allows someone to hammer 250km today, and be fresh to go au bloc 250 km tomorrow.
My understanding was you can't keep it up for days on end. I'm not the expert though, so any help is appreciated.
hrotha said:Well yes but there's a lot more in the rumour mill at the very least.SeriousSam said:hrotha said:There's remarkably little evidence of silent bans in cycling as far as I know, as opposed to tennis.
There's remarkably little evidence of silent bans in tennis, too.
Digger said:You are advised to NOT take cortisone long term - it works but then starts to break you down - there are long term affects...basically your head is telling you it's ok to train and the cortisone is allowing you to train but it's fooling you and you are ripping yourself up with no chance to heal.
Two years is the point at which you break down - that's why I wonder about froome and certainly Wiggins' form fell off a cliff in 2013.
Note: if anyone can help me out here, there was a rider in the last few years who took cortisone for legitimate reasons, could have raced, but pulled himself out voluntarily because he knew he felt better than usual and didn't think It right to race until the benefits had worn off - if anyone remembers who it was.
The Devon-based rider says his general fitness is good but he has put on some muscle and now weighs 80kg, or 12st 8lb, which is more than 2st above his racing weight.