On February 1, 2025, the Union Cycliste Internationale (UCI) made a landmark decision to ban the repeated inhalation of carbon monoxide (CO) in professional cycling. This regulation, set to take effect on February 10, 2025, was announced following discussions during the UCI Management Committee meeting held in Arras, France, in conjunction with the 2025 UCI Cyclo-cross World Championships. The move marks a significant step in prioritizing rider health and safety, particularly in light of emerging concerns surrounding the use of CO in sports medicine.
Carbon monoxide has been utilized in sports science for over two decades, primarily as a means to measure total haemoglobin mass and assess endurance training and altitude adaptations. However, the health risks associated with CO inhalation cannot be overstated. Symptoms of exposure can range from mild headaches and nausea to severe complications such as seizures or loss of consciousness. The UCI's decision to enact this ban underscores a broader commitment to athlete welfare amid increasing scrutiny of performance-enhancing practices in cycling.
Under the new regulation, riders, teams, and affiliated bodies will no longer be allowed to possess commercially available CO re-breathing systems outside of medical facilities. While the use of CO for medical purposes is still permitted under strict guidelines, this regulation aims to prevent potential misuse that could compromise athlete health. Riders in UCI WorldTeams, UCI Women’s WorldTeams, and UCI ProTeams must document any CO inhalation for medical purposes in their medical records, aligning with existing UCI Medical Rules.
Interestingly, while the UCI's ban is independent of the World Anti-Doping Code, it reflects a growing trend among sports governing bodies to take proactive measures in safeguarding athlete health. UCI President David Lappartient emphasized the importance of this decision, stating that it represents a necessary step to ensure the well-being of athletes. This aligns with a broader movement within professional sports, where organizations are increasingly scrutinizing training methods and health practices to protect athletes from potential harm.
The decision comes at a time when the use of CO inhalation has been a topic of debate within cycling circles, particularly following its use by prominent riders during events such as the Tour de France. As athletes continue to seek innovative ways to enhance performance, the UCI's ban may prompt a reevaluation of altitude training methodologies. With the new regulations in place, cyclists may turn to traditional techniques, such as living at high altitudes or utilizing hypobaric chambers, which offer safer alternatives for optimizing performance without the associated health risks of CO inhalation.
Furthermore, the UCI's ban on repeated CO use coincides with modifications to participation rules for the UCI WorldTour and UCI Women’s WorldTour, which will require all UCI WorldTeams to compete in major events such as the Grand Tours and the five Monuments starting in 2026. This decision aims to enhance the competitive integrity of the sport while ensuring that teams are adequately represented across key races.
The UCI's proactive stance on the regulation of CO inhalation aligns with broader concerns regarding athlete safety and the ethical implications of performance enhancement. As debates continue over the potential manipulation of blood values through medical practices, the cycling community is called to maintain transparency and integrity. With the UCI's request for the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) to address the implications of repeated CO use, the landscape of sports regulation may shift, paving the way for coordinated efforts among governing bodies to prioritize athlete health.
As the cycling world adapts to these new regulations, it will be fascinating to observe the impacts on athlete training methods and overall performance. The UCI's decision reflects a critical turning point in the sport, emphasizing that the health and safety of athletes must always be the foremost priority. The cycling community stands at a crossroads, where the commitment to athlete welfare and integrity will shape the future of competitive cycling for years to come.
Carbon monoxide has been utilized in sports science for over two decades, primarily as a means to measure total haemoglobin mass and assess endurance training and altitude adaptations. However, the health risks associated with CO inhalation cannot be overstated. Symptoms of exposure can range from mild headaches and nausea to severe complications such as seizures or loss of consciousness. The UCI's decision to enact this ban underscores a broader commitment to athlete welfare amid increasing scrutiny of performance-enhancing practices in cycling.
Under the new regulation, riders, teams, and affiliated bodies will no longer be allowed to possess commercially available CO re-breathing systems outside of medical facilities. While the use of CO for medical purposes is still permitted under strict guidelines, this regulation aims to prevent potential misuse that could compromise athlete health. Riders in UCI WorldTeams, UCI Women’s WorldTeams, and UCI ProTeams must document any CO inhalation for medical purposes in their medical records, aligning with existing UCI Medical Rules.
Interestingly, while the UCI's ban is independent of the World Anti-Doping Code, it reflects a growing trend among sports governing bodies to take proactive measures in safeguarding athlete health. UCI President David Lappartient emphasized the importance of this decision, stating that it represents a necessary step to ensure the well-being of athletes. This aligns with a broader movement within professional sports, where organizations are increasingly scrutinizing training methods and health practices to protect athletes from potential harm.
The decision comes at a time when the use of CO inhalation has been a topic of debate within cycling circles, particularly following its use by prominent riders during events such as the Tour de France. As athletes continue to seek innovative ways to enhance performance, the UCI's ban may prompt a reevaluation of altitude training methodologies. With the new regulations in place, cyclists may turn to traditional techniques, such as living at high altitudes or utilizing hypobaric chambers, which offer safer alternatives for optimizing performance without the associated health risks of CO inhalation.
Furthermore, the UCI's ban on repeated CO use coincides with modifications to participation rules for the UCI WorldTour and UCI Women’s WorldTour, which will require all UCI WorldTeams to compete in major events such as the Grand Tours and the five Monuments starting in 2026. This decision aims to enhance the competitive integrity of the sport while ensuring that teams are adequately represented across key races.
The UCI's proactive stance on the regulation of CO inhalation aligns with broader concerns regarding athlete safety and the ethical implications of performance enhancement. As debates continue over the potential manipulation of blood values through medical practices, the cycling community is called to maintain transparency and integrity. With the UCI's request for the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) to address the implications of repeated CO use, the landscape of sports regulation may shift, paving the way for coordinated efforts among governing bodies to prioritize athlete health.
As the cycling world adapts to these new regulations, it will be fascinating to observe the impacts on athlete training methods and overall performance. The UCI's decision reflects a critical turning point in the sport, emphasizing that the health and safety of athletes must always be the foremost priority. The cycling community stands at a crossroads, where the commitment to athlete welfare and integrity will shape the future of competitive cycling for years to come.
#CyclingRegulations #FoodForThought
