Doping behaviour as foundation of a cycling subculture (1965-1999)

Sport culture is generally based on values like democracy, unselfishness, fair play and it rejects any form of trickery. Doping behaviour noticed among advanced amateur cyclists and professionals reveals the existence of a subculture whose values and rules have been depraved. The simple concept of trickery is no more discerned. Rules have vanished on behalf of new operating modes controlled by attendants. Indeed, group influence is essential to the control exerted on a new member. Being a member of the group dictates a community way of life based on doping practices. Chemical substances are omnipresent and improve not only physical performances but may constitute the cement of the group: drugs seem to be easily available and athlets gather in an environment of open goodfellowship. Drugs, in the same way as training itself, are a foundational element of social cohesion. But to enter the community, one must go through initiation rites to prove allegiance to the group. So does individual will fade away on behalf of collective will of the group. Particular doping language spread out. Racing strategies, more or less legal, emerge. Between 1965 and 1999, despite of a national campaign against doping, this hidden subculture is gaining ground over official sport culture, although this one is overtly against doping practices and the only legitimate. While doping behaviour shows off publicly and without embarrassment, those who do not take drugs, who reject doping practices, are facing resentment and harassment. The group defends itself against any threat. But in the same time, doping proceedings and techniques change due to scientific and pharmacological progress. These new doping practices, less known and reserved for a small elite made of professional cyclists, are progressively pushing into the background the old-fashioned doping behaviours that once were foundational of the cycling subculture. Therefore, this subculture seems to lose influence at the end of the 90's.