ON DECRYPT
The taking of ketones by some teams of the Tour de France is a debate. Unregulated product, this organic compound is similar to some of its detractors to a doping product. According to a study conducted in Belgium, but contradicted by others, ketone would increase riders' performance by 15%.
On the Tour de France, some teams do not hide and fully assume: bottles of artificial ketones are available to runners for the most difficult stages. These bodies are made naturally by the liver and can act as a fuel for the muscles. They especially allow to delay the appearance of lactic acid, which triggers a burning sensation in the legs of runners.
Teams who refuse to take any
If the Belgian team Deceuninck-Quick Step Julian Alaphilippe uses artificial ketones, French teams have not yet taken the step. "If this product has the qualities we lend him, it's a bit ambiguous.It is not the order of the day at home," sweeps Marc Madiot, the manager of Groupama FDJ Thibaut Pinot. "I think we'd better avoid this kind of controversy by simply banning it.
For now, the vagueness still lingers around this product. But the authorities assure it, a work is in progress. "I seized the medical director of the International Cycling Union (UCI) on the subject," slips to the microphone of Europe 1 David Lappartient, himself president of the UCI. "Is it a doping product or not? Is it dangerous for health or not? These criteria should be looked at. We do not hesitate to take the lead.It is necessary that we have a little scientific perspective on the topic."
The World Anti-Doping Agency asserts that no serious study has so far demonstrated the effect of ketones on the performance of runners.