I’ve been getting my annual fix of pro cycling for the last week.

Every year I settle down to watch a half hour daily highlight package of the Tour de France.

Sunday night they showed 2 hours live of a stage of 165 kms.

It’s enthralling stuff, being able to watch athletes at the peak of their fitness performing at their best. If only they could stay off drugs!! I lost interest in cycling a number of years ago because of the drugs culture and I hear today that two more riders in France have tested positive.

In our present society I don’t know whether drugs in sport will ever be resolved. Unfortunately the rewards financially are now so high that the temptation to go for that little ‘extra’ is always there.

The Australian Olympic cycling squad is in turmoil over ‘alleged’ drug breaches and I’m sure between now and August when all the athletes get to Athens we will hear more of it in all sports. Athletes obviously don’t watch ‘South Park’ otherwise they would know that “drugs are bad”.

During a feeding stage in yesterday’s race the commentary team of Phil Liggett and Paul Sherwin mentioned that they were taking on food for the following day and not to help them in the current stage. The average calorific intake by a pro cyclist during the race is between 5000 and 7000 calories. Amazing how much they burn off whilst racing.

The team ethic and also the support from other teams is amazing and like our diet the support of family and friends can be the difference in making this way of life a stage win or finishing in the peleton.

It got me thinking, does anyone know of any ‘major’ sports people who follow BTD.

I imagine these days with all the scientific input that sports diets are pretty hi-tech anyway. Has there been any research into the benefits of a BTD on sports performance.

I reckon Lance Armstrong is looking good to win his sixth Tour in a row and we’re thoroughly enjoying the battle between the Australian sprinters Robbie McEwan and Stuart O’Grady for the green jersey.

Allez le Tour!!