Cycling: In a detailed interview with the Italian sports newspaper Gazzetta dello Sport, Katusha team doctor Massimo Besnati warns of rampant drug abuse in the peloton - sleeping pills in particular are popular and are increasingly being combined with alcohol. He is also far from overcoming the doping problem.
The reason for the interview was ex-Katusha professional Luca Paolini, who tested positive for cocaine last season and was consequently banned. Paolini also publicly admitted his drug problem these days – the 38-year-old is not only addicted to cocaine, but also regularly uses drugs such as sleeping pills. However, according to his former team doctor Besnati, Paolini is no exception and warns that abuse of such substances is rampant: "I would be Pinocchio if I said the fight against doping was won - but at the moment the use of sleeping pills is worse and much more widespread."
Above all, the strains during the three-week tours would drain so much on the psyche and the body of the athletes that only a few of them would be able to fall asleep without the appropriate medication. "Riders take these supplements because of the great stress and increasing fatigue during stage races." According to Besnati, after pharmaceutical products have been gradually banned in recent years, more and more drivers are switching to herbal preparations, which they combine with alcohol to increase the effect. "It's an explosive mixture. Terrible."
The very experienced sports doctor also addresses the inner struggle that many drivers put up with. There would be many drivers “who do not want to use such methods. But then they have trouble recovering properly. When you're too tired, it's hard to fall asleep. Just look at the drivers in the last week of a tour. Just skin and bones!” In addition, Besnati also reports that the drivers use apparently legal 'intoxicants' – alcohol in particular is a problem. “Alcohol abuse is very common, especially among young drivers. They drink a lot.”
Likewise, numerous professionals resort to the so-called 'snus' – this is a form of chewing tobacco that is put in the mouth and has a stimulating effect. While the side effects are not as severe as cigarettes, many snus users experience problems with their teeth and gums over time. "If you look closely, you can see red and swollen gums on a lot of drivers," says Besnati. Incidentally, the sale of snus is illegal in Germany – but this special type of chewing tobacco is particularly popular in Sweden and Norway.