Nocturnal Doping Tests Spark Controversy at Tour de France

Nocturnal anti-doping tests on Tour de France leaders Tadej Pogacar and Jonas Vingegaard have ignited a storm of criticism from riders, who argue the tests unfairly disrupt recovery during the grueling race. The International Testing Agency (ITA) conducted the tests in the early hours of July 19, waking Vingegaard at 2 a.m. and Pogacar at 5 a.m., just before a decisive mountain stage Source: ABC. The following day, the ITA carried out mass blood tests on all remaining riders during the rest day, using the Biological Passport framework Source: El Colombiano.

The backlash

Riders have condemned the tests as “inhumane” and damaging to performance. Remco Evenepoel, second overall, called them “a lack of respect for recovery” Source: Clarin. Matej Mohoric suggested unequal treatment, noting that French rider Paul Seixas was not tested at night Source: La Vanguardia. The Professional Cyclists’ Association (CPA) also voiced disappointment, saying current riders are paying for past errors Source: La Vanguardia.

Legal justification

The tests required judicial authorization under French law, which allows nocturnal controls (11 p.m.–6 a.m.) only with “serious and specific suspicions” Source: Infobae. A Paris judge approved the request, but the ITA has not disclosed the specific grounds. The UCI defended the tests as “exceptional but justified” for combating microdosing Source: Infobae. Some riders, including Pogacar, accepted the necessity while criticizing the impact on sleep .