Second Edition News for October 20


Obree to quit, blames drugs

Former world hour record holder and pursuit world champion Graeme Obree says banned drugs are in widespread use in cycling and he plans to quit the sport later this month.

Scotsman Obree told the weekly L'Equipe Magazine that a track event in Geneva on October 29 would probably be his last race. ``It is unlikely that after that you will see me on a bike again,'' he said in an interview released on Saturday. Obree said one of the reasons he was quitting was because many riders were using drugs, especially erythropoietin (EPO), a substance that stimulates the production of red blood cells which transport oxygen around the body.

Obree said that the way the sport had evolved in the last few years made it almost impossible for a rider to better his performances without using drugs.

``You can win without doping but to beat records is another story,'' he said.

Obree pioneered the Superman riding position with extended handlebars, which have now been outlawed by the International Cycling Union (UCI).

The Scot, who rode to fame in track cycling on a home-built bike made from washing machine parts, said he would now concentrate on building bicycle parts.