If everything that has been written about the macrodosing and the corruption of testing officials selling date, etc. (and the recent Russian conspiracy - sorry I do not know what else to call it) - focusing on blood testing seems almost a fools errand given the number of way to go spoof it, or even have a positive test 'disappear'.
The one constant in all of this is greed. People are offering up services and shortcuts, and they are not doing it out of the kindness of their hearts. They are doing it for profit.
In this day an age, money money around is ... difficult to do without leaving a trail. I think there are a couple of very easy measure that can be taken to reduce the instances of drug abuse in sports in general, and cycling specifically.
#1 - Mandatory financial screening of all WADA lab technicians and managers - any unexplained monetary compensation is ground for immediate dismissal. Any unauthorized or oft books accounts are ground for immediate dismissal. No questions asked.
#2 - Instead of blood parameter screening, which has, IMHO, allowed professional dopers an analytical means of gaming the system. They still have to pay for the drugs and medical expertise to provide the analysis and invest the right cocktail of drugs to beat the system. Once again, unexplained or suspicious financial transactions are ground for a ban - length TBD.
#3 - The UCI already has some severe financial constraints for teams, but requiring audits and the tracking of money would preclude or severely reduce team sponsored drug offenses.
The ne constant to all the doping is the spending of money to win races to make money. Money, in the digital age, leaves unmistakable foot prints, and even if not conclusive - suspicious spending could certainly trigger targeting blood testing and possibly catching the guys in the act.
The focus on climbs, while promising, is subjective. Following money? It's just math.
I am wondering why this kind of scrutiny is not happening, or, if it is, why its not getting more attention?
The one constant in all of this is greed. People are offering up services and shortcuts, and they are not doing it out of the kindness of their hearts. They are doing it for profit.
In this day an age, money money around is ... difficult to do without leaving a trail. I think there are a couple of very easy measure that can be taken to reduce the instances of drug abuse in sports in general, and cycling specifically.
#1 - Mandatory financial screening of all WADA lab technicians and managers - any unexplained monetary compensation is ground for immediate dismissal. Any unauthorized or oft books accounts are ground for immediate dismissal. No questions asked.
#2 - Instead of blood parameter screening, which has, IMHO, allowed professional dopers an analytical means of gaming the system. They still have to pay for the drugs and medical expertise to provide the analysis and invest the right cocktail of drugs to beat the system. Once again, unexplained or suspicious financial transactions are ground for a ban - length TBD.
#3 - The UCI already has some severe financial constraints for teams, but requiring audits and the tracking of money would preclude or severely reduce team sponsored drug offenses.
The ne constant to all the doping is the spending of money to win races to make money. Money, in the digital age, leaves unmistakable foot prints, and even if not conclusive - suspicious spending could certainly trigger targeting blood testing and possibly catching the guys in the act.
The focus on climbs, while promising, is subjective. Following money? It's just math.
I am wondering why this kind of scrutiny is not happening, or, if it is, why its not getting more attention?