Lance Armstrong, once hailed as the greatest road cyclist in history, has finally disclosed the secrets behind his ability to escape detection as a drug cheat for years.
Armstrong admitted to using Erythropoietin (EPO), a performance-enhancing substance that was previously deemed “undetectable.”
During his dominant reign in the Tour de France from 1999 to 2005, Armstrong won an unprecedented seven consecutive titles.
Despite constant suspicions of foul play, he consistently passed drug tests, thus seemingly proving his innocence in a sport plagued by doping scandals.
Armstrong retired twice, in 2005 and 2011, only for it to be revealed in 2012 that he had been using performance enhancers throughout his career.
The US Anti-Doping Agency (USADA) conducted an investigation based on historic blood samples, leading them to declare Armstrong’s involvement in “the most sophisticated, professionalized, and successful doping program that sport has ever seen” within his U.S.
Postal Service and Discovery Channel teams.
In a recent episode of the Club Random podcast with Bill Maher, Armstrong shared how he managed to evade detection despite being subjected to over 500 tests.
He stated that although he frustrated the system, he never failed a doping control.
The substances he used had short half-lives, making it difficult for them to be detected during testing.
Armstrong further explained that certain substances, like cannabis or anabolics, have much longer half-lives, meaning they can be detected even weeks after consumption.
However, with substances like EPO, which leave the body quickly, the chances of detection are significantly reduced.
EPO, a hormone that stimulates the production of red blood cells and increases oxygen levels in muscles, provides a significant advantage in endurance sports such as cycling.
Riders using EPO experience a slower decline in muscular output during races like the Tour de France, giving them an edge over clean athletes.
Armstrong admitted to blood doping, which involves using illegal methods and products to enhance the body’s oxygen-carrying capacity.
He emphasized the significant benefits EPO provided in terms of performance and recovery, while also stating that if taken under medical supervision, it was considered safe.
Despite Armstrong’s confession and subsequent sanctions, his stripped titles were not redistributed.
The revelations surrounding his doping scandal have forever tarnished his once-stellar reputation as a cycling legend.
