Detalo Health, the company behind Carbon Monoxide (CO) rebreathers used by multiple WorldTour teams, responded to a move for Reliable Cycling (MPCC) for a technique not practiced

This technique was revealed in week 2024 of the 2nd Tour de France and has been controversial from the start. The MPCC has since spoken out against the technology, even after Tadej Pogañar first acknowledged the knowledge of the practice

initially stating that they had no plans to seek a ban on joint rebreathers. At last month's AGM, they strongly advised against the use of carbon monoxide and suggested that it should eventually be banned.

A press release shared after their annual meeting said: "The topic of carbon monoxide was also raised. Some media have reported a possible misuse of this potentially deadly gas. The purpose of its use would be to create artificial hypoxia by inhaling it at (unknown) doses and thus mimic the effects of exercise at altitude."

It then cited some of the World Anti-Doping Code related to artificially enhancing the uptake, transport or delivery of oxygen before adding: "Health and safety are important.", MPCC can only strongly advise against the use of this technology...Until it is banned."

Cyclingnews reached out to Detalo Health for a response to these remarks, believing it needed to be more specific on what the mpcc is calling for to be banned.

Carsten Lundby, CEO of Detalo Health and professor at the University of Southern Denmark, said: "We fully agree that we should advise against the use of carbon monoxide inhalation with the intention of increasing hemoglobin levels. It should be obvious. And we have already stated this on many occasions. 

"The use of carbon monoxide as a medical diagnostic tool is, of course, not about improving performance, but with a completely different intent as a diagnostic tool. And it, of course, should not be banned, or should not be banned. That's why there needs to be a clear, clear cure between the two," he added.

He continues to double his stance and "is very opposed to carbon monoxide inhalation with the intention of improving performance." I think it's against the spirit of the sport. I don't want my kids to inhale toxic gases to become world champions.

Lundby quickly questioned how MPCC defines the purpose of carbon monoxide, saying: "The purpose of CO re-breathing is to determine blood volume. The aim is not to create artificial hypoxia. You administer carbon monoxide so that you can measure a different blood volume than what they advise."

The WorldTour team has revealed little about how they have used their practice so far. Asked if more transparency was needed, the scientist was outspoken in his response.

"Of course, this is also why I wrote a small research paper on this published in May or May, which strongly advises against the use of carbon monoxide with the intention of increasing the amount of hemoglobin through the stimulation of hypoxia.

Lundby explained that the reason for this posture is that exploring the limits of carbon monoxide in terms of increased hemoglobin levels can pose serious health risks and that "at some point, this will become toxic."

However, That doesn't mean he believes he needs to be more open as to how the team uses rebreathers. 

When asked if more transparency would help public perception of carbon monoxide decomposers, the professor was clear.

"No, actually, I will not." If you do carbon monoxide re-respiration for the purpose of measuring hemoglobin mass, it's pretty clear what you do, and by assessing blood volume in this way,"

Dedalo's chief added that medical technology companies collect all the data transmitted from the device in real time, revealing medical malpractice.

He also confirmed that the details plan to continue working with the WorldTour team in 2025.

"Although we have not made any measurements in the offseason, we will continue our work as we have always done it, so we will next year, we will measure blood volume before and after altitude camp," Lundby said, then revealed that there has been a renewed interest in the practice since it was published this summer." There was no more than usual."