Not new doping variant with sea worms, but excessive drug use in peloton triggers warning

The sport of cycling is experiencing its heyday, but even anno 2025, the doping specter continues to fly over the peloton. An extensive article came out of Italy this week about a new form of EPO and anti-doping trade union MPCC made itself heard by overuse of drugs....

First things first, the EPO story, as Corriere picked up with a story about doping extracted from sea worms in China and Belarus. What? Yes, you read that right - World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) is reportedly concerned because sea worms - especially the hemoglobin absorbed from them - allow the blood to absorb up to 10 times more oxygen.

This is reportedly the 15-centimeter-long Arenicola Marina worm with the M101 molecule, and the trick here is: when used, there are normally no abnormalities detectable in the biological passport. Even doping tests would not be able to find it. In laboratories in China and Belarus, the EPO variant is already jokingly called "Lance A".

According to tests, the results are unprecedented, with no side effects. It would even make the body healthier, and the presence of the molecule would be visible in a blood plasma for only a few hours. That would mean anti-doping authorities could be behind the times. Riders have reportedly already asked for the drug in recent years.

Worries for later for the MPCC, the Mouvement Pour un Cyclisme Crédible. Indeed, in a press release, the union for a credible cycling sport reveals that its main concern is the use of drugs in the peloton. The UCI is warned about "the gray area," in which drugs that have not yet been banned are being used by simply healthy riders.

The popular debate over ketones is being brought up again, one that has been going on for years and in which the MPCC and UCI have since advised against their use. However, the popular drink is widely used in the peloton. The UCI has only advised, not introduced a rule or banned the product. That ensures that the debate cannot be closed.

And so, according to the MPCC, there are more drugs being used while intended for sick patients. "Tapendatol, which is up to ten times stronger than Tramadol (banned in competition by WADA after 12 years of lobbying from MPCC). The UCI now has this specific substance under monitoring, but must we wait for the result of another lengthy analysis while riders’ health is at risk and crashes are becoming even more prominent?"

"The MPCC's position has not changed: the endless medicalization of riders is a major problem and requires action. The MPCC urges the UCI to establish a clear and regulated position on a range of (medical) products in the grey area or other specific products (such as ketones). Next to this, it’s crucial that the products and substances that are within this grey area are proactively and clearly identified."