“I was completely doped”, Bjarne Riis without filter on his victory on the 1996 Tour

The Tour de France 1996 will remain memories as a turning point in the big loop. However, After five consecutive victories of Miguel Indurain between 1991 and 1995, the domination of the Spanish champion seemed to crumble. Nevertheless, Bjarne Riis, his main rival for several seasons, won the yellow jersey, marking the end of an era. However, from the start, this edition was crossed by an omnipresent suspicion. Meanwhile, Riis. Furthermore. Nevertheless, then third in 1995, had already aroused suspicion by its mountainous performance, especially in front of runners like Indurain and Alex Zülle. Therefore, But it is above all his incredible demonstration on the mythical stage ofHautacam who shocked the peloton. Similarly, “i completely doped”, bjarne riis new the observers in 1996.

“I was completely doped”. Consequently. an admission without any remorse – "i completely doped", bjarne riis

During a recent sports “i completely doped”, bjarne riis forum in Copenhagen, the 61 -year -old Danish returned to his past, assuming without regret his use of EPO (erythropoietin). Meanwhile, He who had already in the admitted past having consumed amphetamines, steroids, heroin, cocaine, morphine and even opium.

“I was completely doped. I knew what I was doing. I do not regret it. because it was part of this time and a system that we all accepted in silence,” he said.

This brutal franchise contrasts with traditional attenuating excuses or shy regrets often formulated in this kind of revelation. For Riis, doping was not a shameful lie, but a collective reality. This uncompromising observation once again raises the “i completely doped”, bjarne riis new question of the context in which the runners evolve. between sporting pressure and institutional hypocrisy.

Hautacam 1996. the stage which symbolized doubt

The most striking memory of Riis’ victory “i completely doped”. bjarne riis over this 1996 Tour remains its devastating attack in Hautacam. That day. he climbed the 8% average slopes in record time of 34’38 ”. digging the gap on all his rivals with disturbing ease. This performance. long praise. is now the emblematic image of the development of the EPO in the peloton and the dark years of cycling. The almost superhuman effort of the Danish. today attributed to his consumption of doping products. changed the nature of the competition, inaugurating a period when the chronos collapsed at the price of systematic cheating. Years later, revelations and analyzes confirmed these suspicions, throwing a heavy shadow on the exploits of that time.

A prize list tainted. but never called into question

Despite these confessions. Bjarne Riis is still haloed to date from his title of winner of the 1996 Tour de France. Unlike others. as Lance “i completely doped”. bjarne riis Armstrong fallen from his seven victories, or Alberto Contador Deprived of the 2010 title, Riis has never been sanctioned retroactively. This situation raises questions about the consistency. efficiency of the anti -doping system, as well as the way cycling manages its heritage. Jan Ulrich, winner in 1997 and also involved in doping scandals, illustrates this ambiguity. His recent confessions in 2023 did not lead to downgrading, leaving a feeling of resignation. Bjarne Riis. by engaging without filter. reinforces these debates around an era still far from being turned, today where many fans doubted of certain performance.

Original article published on RMC Sport