Dutch scientists researching the effects of EPO on well trained cyclists found no positive benefits to their performance in race conditions.

Last weekend, the trial tracked 48 amateur cyclists riding up the challenging climb to Mont Ventoux, but the riders on EPO performed less well than those who had taken a placebo!

The study, organised by the Centre for Human Drug Research in Leiden, looked at potential side effects as well as performance enhancement from 'recombinant human erythropoietin'.