Speed trends of major cycling races: Does slower mean cleaner?

Abstract

Since doping improves athletic performance, anti-doping policies should have the opposite effect. This analysis examined whether changes in the speed of major cycling races reflect recent anti-doping efforts. Average speeds of 5th place finishers of the Tour de France, Giro dItalia, and Vuelta a Espaa cycling races were obtained for the period 19902009. Between 1990 and 2004, the average speed had been increasing by 0.16km/h per year (p<0.001). In a downturn, since 2004, the average speed has decreased by 0.22km/h per year (p=0.031). The slowing down of professional cycling races is compatible with the hypothesis that recent anti-doping efforts in professional cycling have curbed the use of performance-enhancing substances. © Georg Thieme Verlag KG Stuttgart New York.