FUTURE OF ANTI-DOPING

The Congress also examined new ways to beat the dopers…

UK sports scientists Louis Passfield and James Hopker presented their ideas for a power passport. “The idea is that we monitor riders’ power data over time,” explains Passfield. “The core concept is that we monitor patterns and, if we observe a disproportionate return from training, that could be a sign of doping.”

Passfield concedes that data differences between power meters – even variations between identical power meters – is an issue to resolve, plus the issue of weight fluctuations. The majority of riders who race the brutal cobbles in the spring, for instance, will shed weight for the mountains come July. That would affect power output and power-to-weight ratios.

“It’s a big data world,” Passfield continues. “Tied in with accurate algorithms, we’d get there. We would also link it to training. Most power meters have GPS capability so you’ll know where riders are and what training they’re doing.”

Passfield argues that behavioural changes would be monitored, too. A reluctance to hand over power data, a rider who has data gaps and one whose values jump erratically will act as warning signs. The potential is there…