Roel Paulissen, reigning marathon world champion, tested positive for the drug clomiphene at a race in Belgium in June. The Belgian was immediately dismissed from the Cannondale team and will end his career immediately.
This news is a hard blow for the MTB racing scene and once again calls into question the credibility of top-level sport. A credibility in which the MTB sport has long been ahead of road racing.
After Filip Meirhaeghe, Paulissen is the second top-class Belgian cyclist to be found guilty of doping.
Clomiphene is a lesser-known substance in cycling. In the bodybuilding scene, the active ingredient is used to boost the body's own testosterone production after steroid use.
Info from extrem-bodybuilding.de:
Clomiphene citrate is usually prescribed to women to help with ovulation. Clomiphene citrate is a type of "false oestrogen" and activates the natural biofeedback mechanism in the brain. This activates the release of the body's own follicle-stimulating hormones (FSH:glycoprotein, whose serum levels are approximately the same for males and females). Clomid therefore causes an increase in follicle-stimulating hormone and luteinising hormone (LH), which leads to follicle maturation and the triggering of ovulation in women. In men, luteinising hormone stimulates the testicular interstitial cells and regulates androgen biosynthesis in the testicles. This effect is advantageous for the BB, especially at the end of a steroid cure, when endogenous testosterone production is below average and therefore, without a further supply of synthetic testosterones, the testosterone level would fall far below normal, which then leads to a drastic loss of mass and strength. The release of the luteinising hormone from the anterior and middle parts of the anterior pituitary gland is controlled by the LH releasing hormone or factor from the hypothalamus. A daily intake of 50-100mg clomiphene citrate over a period of 4-6 weeks brings endogenous testosterone production back to an acceptable level. Clomiphene gradually raises the testosterone level over the intake period. Clomiphene also appears to be effective as an anti-oestrogen, this may be because it is a "false oestrogen" and may occupy oestrogen receptors. Most BB's suffer from increased oestrogen levels at the end of a course due to "aromatisation" of steroids. A high oestrogen level combined with a low testosterone level results in a risk of developing gynaecomastia. By taking Clomiphene, the user receives a double effect. One is that of an anti-oestrogen and the other is an increase in endogenous testosterone production. In terms of effects and side effects, Clomiphene is considered a fairly harmless drug. Possible side effects include hot flushes and temporary blurred vision.
