The International Cycling Union (UCI) announced Saturday that a ban on a controversial carbon monoxide breathing method used by some top riders, including Tour de France champion Tadej Pogacar, will come into force this month.

UCI Implements Ban On February 10

"It will be banned as of February 10 in order to protect the health and security of our athletes," the UCI stated.

"Today's decision is an important step in the right direction," UCI president David Lappartient said, describing it as an audacious but necessary move.

The method is thought to boost red blood cells and endurance.

Health Risks And WADA Investigation

The initiative marks a further step by cycling chiefs to outlaw the technique after asking the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) at the end of November to "take a position" on the matter.

"Carbon monoxide is a toxic, odorless gas that is often a cause of household accidents," the UCI stated in December.

"Inhaled in low doses and under strict safety conditions, the gas is used in medicine as a tracer to measure the pulmonary diffusion of oxygen or of the total hemoglobin mass.

"However, when inhaled repeatedly in non-medical conditions, it can cause side effects such as headaches, fatigue, nausea, vomiting, chest pain, breathing difficulties, and even loss of consciousness."

Revealed Use In Professional Teams

The use of the potentially lethal gas by at least three teams was revealed last summer during the Tour de France by the specialist cycling website Escape Collective.

Among these teams are Israel PT, Pogacar's UAE Team, and Jonas Vingegaard's Visma.