Drugs are a big part of the "how are people going faster for longer" equation, of course.<p>But in an endurance context, adequate fuelling is likely even more important than a new magic drug, because it doesn't matter how many drugs you take if you don't replenish your energy reserves. You can have the biggest engine in the world, or the most efficient, but once you run out of fuel, it's not going anywhere.<p>For those nearing the pointy end of strength sports, drugs are generally seen as a 10-15% boost for high intermediate level lifters, and single digit for advanced/expert.<p>When the difference between first place and not ending up on the board is sometimes 1-3%, the drugs are mandatory.<p>But everything else has to be there as well. Drugs don't replace hard work, dedication, and proper nutrition - they augment it.<p>If you safely can consume 10% more calories hourly than your competitors in a long endurance race, that means you can burn more calories and put out more average power than everyone else who is likely on a very similar drug cocktail.