Nighttime anti-doping tests spark debate
The International Testing Agency (ITA) defends its procedure after waking up the Tour de France leaders in the early hours of Sunday. Tadej Pogacar received the officials at 5 a.m., while Jonas Vingegaard was interrupted at 2 a.m.
Vingegaard suffered a broken collarbone in a fall near the end of the 15th stage and abandoned the race. Pogacar and Remco Evenepoel criticized the testing schedule. Evenepoel described the situation as “very disrespectful” in a press conference and asked for a response from the CPA cyclists association.
“The ITA is aware that night testing can disrupt cyclists’ rest and recovery,” the agency told The Associated Press. “However, it has the responsibility to ensure the effectiveness of the anti-doping program and the integrity of racing.”
Pogacar questioned whether Vingegaard’s fatigue played a role in his fall, but later accepted the random tests as necessary to prove cleanliness. Vingegaard told Cyclingnews.com: “I accept it if necessary, but it is a bit difficult to sleep four hours in the middle of a three-week Tour.”
The ITA explained that testing outside of daylight hours is permitted under the World Anti-Doping Code, UCI rules and French law. The selection of cyclists is based on a risk assessment, not suspicion. Sample results may take weeks. The race ends on July 26 in Paris.
