Re: Re:
Le breton said:
fmk_RoI said:
Le breton said:
https://fasterskier.com/fsarticle/limiting-factors-a-genesis-of-blood-doping-part-three/
In Part 5 we find this :
It isn’t even certain that all the post-1972 transfusions were conducted in order to assume supranormal hemoglobin concentration was beneficial in every condition. Interestingly even cyclist Eddy Merckx (who was offered a transfusion in 1972) mentioned later that his “target” hematocrit was only 52 % when was planning to succeed in his attempt to break the hour world record at altitude, which was in the normal range of residents of 2200 meters and meant that his quest to thicken his blood wasn’t open-ended with the almost “higher-the-better” attitude of the 1990s. (Thirion, 2012)
Which implies that Merckx might well have accepted a transfusion for his 49,431 km in Mexico !
Man admits being offered transfusion for Mexico Hour, man says he rejected offer of transfusion for Mexico Hour, ---...
Where/when did he say he rejected it? I would OF COURSE be interested in knowing more about this.
You don't see the contradiction? His TARGET hematocrit was ONLY 52% and how do you imagine he would have possibly reached 52% w/o transfusion? Dehydration maybe?
Anyway, I went to see what he (Merckx) said to Thirion on the subject, here it is
Tout simplement parce que le manque d’oxygène dans l’air augmente le rythme cardiaque et favorise l’apport d’oxygène mais dans le sang. C’est le principe du taux hématocrite dont on parle beaucoup quand il s’agit de dopage. A Mexico, mon taux devait être de 52 %. Parenthèse : aujourd’hui, si on ne s’attaque plus au record de l’heure, c’est aussi pour cela. Le passeport biologique enregistrerait des variations anormales. Donc, les coureurs sont condamnés à essayer en bord de mer. Ou alors il faut être né en Colombie ou au Mexique !
Mais vous êtes parti au dernier moment à Mexico. Comment avez-vous fait pour programmer votre entraînement pour qu’il soit adapté à l’altitude de Mexico.
J’avais le choix entre une transfusion sanguine, ce qui fera rire beaucoup de gens aujourd’hui, ou de m’entraîner dans mon garage complètement fermé sur les rouleaux. J’ai choisi la deuxième option, il n’était pas question qu’on chipote avec mon sang. J’étais cependant suivi par des médecins qui mesuraient analysaient mes séances d’entraînement.
Obviously in 2012 Merckx still didn't understand anything to the questions raised by going at altitude.
A Mexico, mon taux devait être de 52 %. This is extremely ambiguous and is not what I read in the Fasterskier article, part 5.
Either Merckx believes that by the simple fact of being at 2300 m altitude his Hct miraculously jumps to 52% or it's a desirable goal : have 52% Hct.
He clearly denies having had a transfusion : il n’était pas question qu’on chipote avec mon sang.
He didn't seem to have the faintest idea what the Drs were doing : J’étais cependant suivi par des médecins qui mesuraient, analysaient mes séances d’entraînement.
So , I have to say that the original interview by Thirion does not put the story in the same light as the Fasterskier article.