UAE Team Emirates, led by Tadej Pogacar, announced on Tuesday that it had stopped using carbon monoxide to measure the benefits of altitude on cyclists, rejecting accusations that the practice was controversial and “sensationalist.”
In late November, the International Cycling Union (UCI) asked the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) for an official assessment of the use of carbon monoxide. The technique, while legal, has generated controversy due to its use by teams such as UAE, Visma and Israel PT. According to the website Escape Collective, the method could be misused to create artificial hypoxia, simulating the effects of altitude training.
Jeroen Swart, performance coordinator for UAE Team Emirates, denied the allegations: “This is a sensationalist article speculating on something that is unlikely to be implemented. It is not realistic.” He explained that the technique has been widely validated for two decades and used to accurately measure haemoglobin mass, particularly in climbers and endurance athletes.
Swart added that the UAE’s use of the technique lasted 18 months and was aimed at assessing cyclists’ response to altitude. “The trial is complete. Our altitude fields have proven effective and there are no plans to repeat this type of testing.”