Civilising processes and doping in professional cycling

In this paper, drawing from the theoretical approach of Norbert Elias, I argue that over the course of the last 70 years professional cyclists have undergone civilising processes in relation to doping within the sport. It is not my contention that doping has declined amongst professional cyclists over that time period; that would be very difficult to empirically ascertain. However, I contend that the feelings, attitudes and behaviour of professional cyclists in relation to doping did change significantly. The largely unguarded behaviour and candid admissions concerning the practice of doping gradually diminished. Doping was increasingly pushed behind the scenes, and cyclists became more ambivalent in how they discussed the subject. Embarrassment, shame and remorse became a more amplified feature of their accounts. However, this was a gradual, contradictory and fragile process