elevated hematocrits in the UK track squad

Since 2001, over 90,000 cyclist's have joined Cycling Forums to discuss topics from general cycling to equipment, training, racing and travel or vacation destinations (especially in europe during the tour de france). We also feature an great deals in our online store, 100's of articles, classifieds and product reviews.

He is concerned that Hayles' test was an extreme example of a set of elevated haematocrit readings recently taken from other riders in the squad, which he thinks may be due to changes in blood values when they taper off from the highest point of their training in the days before the start of a competition.


http://sport.guardian.co.uk/columnists/story/0,,2269544,00.html

Brailsford can't be that dumb can he? Or can he? :D

That is disturbing, a taper can have an effect after hard training, but this is absurd, the guy, in all his wisdom (not very much) justifies one of his guys hematocrit by saying "they are all like that" :D

http://sport.guardian.co.uk/columnists/story/0,,2269544,00.html

Brailsford can't be that dumb can he? Or can he? :D

That is disturbing, a taper can have an effect after hard training, but this is absurd, the guy, in all his wisdom (not very much) justifies one of his guys hematocrit by saying "they are all like that" :DThis is like fast cadence. The Brit track team must be the first cyclists to have broken through with this innovative training technique of tapering off before an event... :p

And it is understandable that they would have problems if their average hematocrits are all high (like 47 I presume) as opposed to the average of pro road racers... which is around 42-44 AFAIK. They must do all their training at high altitude in the Pennines... :D