Bike-Sport-Germany is shocked: The ambitious amateur rider Frederik Zierke was found dead. The latest doping substances were found in his body and in his flat. We wanted to know from doping expert Ralf Meutgens: How contaminated is sport when even weekend professionals are reaching for the needle? For Meutgens, one thing is clear: mountain biking is much less susceptible to doping than road cycling. He sees the reasons for this in its roots. Mountain biking, says Meutgens, did not grow out of association structures. "It was just cool to have a bike like that. Performance was secondary and probably still is."
The expert is concerned about amateur sport: anyone who believes that doping only affects professionals is wrong. It often starts with taking painkillers during amateur races. Meutgens warns of a spiral that often ends in the use of medication and designer drugs.
You can read the entire interview in BIKE 3/2013, available from 5 February at newsstands or order online here
About the person:
Ralf Meutgens is one of the most renowned experts on the subject of doping. The former racing cyclist, current journalist and author became famous with his book Doping in Cycling, published in 2007, which has long since become a standard work on the subject of doping. As an important critic of the structures of cycling, he strongly condemns the systemic nature of doping.
Sebastian Brust
Editor
