Why do YOU dope?
This morning we recorded The Spokesmen podcast which included David Bernstein, Carlton Reid, Tim Jackson and myself. The question that eventually came up was why people dope and how prevalent it is across all aspects of cycling.
My take is it’s not near as widespread in pro mountain biking as it is in pro road cycling merely because of the money that is involved. I see the huge pressure that comes from major money sponsors and winnings to be a cause of a lot of the doping that goes on in the pro road world. And since there isn’t near the money involved, and therefore less outside pressure to win, doping in mountain biking is less widespread.
However, Tim Jackson takes me to task on this and believes the main reason behind doping is the glory and pride that comes from winning and therefore it’s just as widespread in any racing aspect… whether it’s amateur racing for no money or pro racing for big purses. Both mountain and road.
While TJ has been around the block way more times than yours truly, I’m still not convinced. While there are always exceptions to any rule, I still see the enourmous pressure to perform that comes from big companies and big cash that will drive more pro road racers to cheating that mountain racers or amateur racers.
March 6th, 2007 at 1:54 pm
Don’t get me wrong, money does play a roll in doping. Certainly the money and pressure are possibly greater on the road side of things, but the ego/ personal pressures are identical. People cheat not just for money, but for glory. Like I said this morning, I’ve known masters racers who have cheated/ doped so they can have the bragging rights and win that $25 gift certificate at the local office park coffee shop.
I do believe that doping/ cheating in the dirt is still more prevalnet than most people would like to think. Remember Filip Meirhage?
March 6th, 2007 at 5:37 pm
Dang - I’m sorry I missed this discussion! Glad to know you guys kept the podcast spark alive for our listeners, though. Keep up the great work.
Donna
March 7th, 2007 at 4:28 pm
A friend in Colorado quit pro MTB racing for a well known U.S. team because of the pressure to dope. It was his lifelong dream, but he had to quit because he refused to dope.
March 9th, 2007 at 8:37 am
I would be more inclined to go with TJ on this one. I heard you say this once before on a podcast and and it made perfect sense to me. However looking at all the bright shiney mags with all those endorsements and sponserships, I am not so sure that the competition is not just as fierce as pro road racing any more. Maybe the money isn’t there yet, maybe the sponsers don’t put as much pressure on the teams yet, but there is a carrot dangling in front of the riders, and some will be presupposed to doping, just the nature of people to cheat.
I would like to see doping go away for good in all sports, but I know that won’t happen. Hopefully all my favorites are clean…
March 9th, 2007 at 9:20 pm
In the end, I think that doping comes down to just two things: Money and Ego. This is the case whether you are a professional or a rank amateur.
For the pros, there is intense pressure to perform above-and-beyond the competition. From some of the stories we’ve heard from former pro riders, it seems clear that this pressure can come (albeit in hushed tones and in dark corners) from team management, sponsors, and teammates. Dope and perform, or we’ll find someone else who will do it.
For the amateurs (and some pros), the pressure to dope comes from pure ego. They want to win, and they will do anything necessary to get an advantage. Most of us look for legal and ethical advantages such as lighter components, power meters, smarter training, etc. Some, however, look for any advantage no matter how morally questionable those methods might be.
I don’t know whether or not doping is as widespread in professional mountain biking as it is perceived to be in professional road racing. What I do know is that doping, like lying and cheating in all their forms, will always exist. As in every other aspect of life, there are good people and bad people. I just wish we could all pay attention to the good people and ignore the bad.