<\/p>\n
\u201cI could never understand how it could make such a
\ndifference\u2014how EPO could make you so much stronger,\u201d he said on the In de
\nWaaier podcast. \u201cWe don’t have to be so spasmodic about it now as we did
\nback then. But it was just used a lot in the peloton.\u201d<\/p>\n
His recollections are not of a sudden collapse, but of a
\nslow erosion. One day in particular stood out. \u201cI remember thinking I was
\nbetter than ever\u2014and I probably was. But at the Drielandenpunt I was simply
\noutpaced by more than 100 riders. And we were only halfway there.\u201d<\/p>\n
Maassen\u2019s hematocrit levels hovered at 44 or 45, just under
\nthe 50% threshold later used as an EPO detection marker. But as rivals pushed
\nfar beyond it, the sport splintered. \u201cYou suddenly had two speeds in cycling,\u201d
\nhe said. \u201cThat was very difficult for me, because I didn’t win any prizes
\nanymore. And that was always my drive\u2014to be able to suffer.\u201d<\/p>\n
The loss of competitiveness wasn\u2019t just a professional
\ncrisis. It cut to the heart of his identity. \u201cAt one point a spring broke. I
\nearned quite a lot of money at that time, but I was never able to enjoy it,\u201d he
\nadmitted. \u201cIf you are paid as a leader and you can’t live up to that, then you
\nreally feel like crap. Those were definitely difficult years. But that wasn’t
\njust true for me. It was a very difficult time for a lot of riders.\u201d<\/p>\n
Just about the entire peloton during the 90s were using
\nperformance enhancing drugs, but Maassen managed not to, and that should be applauded,
\nespecially considering the sport is still recovering from the dark cloud caused
\nby that era.<\/p>\n
Asked whether he had ever considered doping, Maassen did not
\nflinch. \u201cI have thought about it, yes. I dare say that I came close to doing
\nso. But something held me back, and I am very happy about that now.\u201d<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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