I got my medical check-up results back yesterday and after a high hematocrit level for the last two years I was anxious to see what it was for the third year.

Annual update.

2007 47.7%
2008 50.0%
2009 51.1%
2010 49.9%
2011 49.2%
2012 52.7%
2013 47.2%
2014 48.3 & 49.4%
2015 50.9%

I had some doubts last year as I may have been a little dehydrated after riding 25km to get to the test but this year I was well hydrated.

According to this website: here:

No More Hematocrits Higher Than 50%

At their annual meeting in Geneva (24 January 1997), UCI delegates, in consultation with medical professionals, decided to implement blood testing to deter the alleged use of rhEPO by selecting a 50% hematocrit as an upper limit. In an article entitled “Cycling Pro’s Saddled with Blood Tests” appearing in The European (30 Jan – 5 Feb, 1997), it was reported that random blood tests would begin on March 22 at the Milan to San Remo Classic bike race. UCI president, Hein Verbruggen, has stressed that the testing is a ” health check” and that a positive test does not imply rhEPO use. The testing has been primarily established to insure that professional cyclists will not begin a major road race with a dangerously high hematocrit. In contrast to a positive drug test, which can result in prolonged suspension from competition, riders with a hematocrit greater than 50% would be suspended only until values decreased to an acceptable level. But are there data indicating that a 51% hematocrit is dangerous for a professional road cyclist? And more importantly, what is the normal incidence of a hematocrit above 50% in professional cyclists not taking rhEPO? It appears that answers to these questions are currently not available.

I may be ‘illegal’! I assure you I am not doping. I’m too dopey to do that.