Anti-doping unit rejects claims of bias towards Seixas

By the Editorial Team · Thursday, July 23, 2026

Anti-doping authorities have denied claims of favoritism toward Paul Seixas, stating that testing decisions at the Tour de France are based on impartial criteria and managed independently by the International Testing Agency. This clarification comes amid rider concerns about unequal nighttime testing, highlighting ongoing efforts to maintain fairness and clean sport despite potential disruptions to competitors’ rest.

Anti-doping authorities overseeing the Tour de France have denied allegations of preferential treatment toward Paul Seixas, the 19-year-old French rider currently fourth overall in the race. Seixas and his Decathlon CMA CGM team underwent standard biological passport testing on Monday evening, along with the rest of the peloton. However, Seixas has yet to be subjected to the additional nocturnal testing that race leader Tadej Pogacar and former race leader Jonas Vingegaard—who has since withdrawn—have faced.

Matej Mohoric, a Slovenian rider for Bahrain Victorious who was tested at 5 a.m., expressed concerns about unequal treatment. “It would be good to guarantee equal treatment for everyone,” he said, noting that Seixas, a well-placed French competitor, had not undergone the early morning test.

In response, the International Testing Agency (ITA) emphasized that it is solely responsible for managing the anti-doping program at the Tour and decides when testing occurs. The ITA clarified that while the French Anti-Doping Agency (AFLD) may occasionally provide support, the timing and selection of tests are determined independently by the ITA’s personnel. According to the agency, decisions about testing are grounded in objective criteria such as risk assessments, performance data, scientific analysis, intelligence, and ongoing investigations. The ITA insisted its approach is impartial and free from external influence.

The Union Cycliste Internationale (UCI), cycling’s governing body, has fully endorsed the ITA’s use of night-time testing in this event, though it maintains such testing remains exceptional and is reserved for limited, well-justified cases. The UCI also acknowledged that these tests can disrupt riders’ rest and recovery but underscored their importance in the broader anti-doping effort.

Mohoric, who was tested in the early morning, acknowledged the challenges posed by such timing, noting riders’ late finishes and late breakfasts. “They have to prove they are working and ensuring the sport remains clean and fair,” he said, adding that cyclists bear the burden of the sport’s troubled doping history.

Meanwhile, on the race course, stage 17 from Chambéry to Voiron saw a rare breakaway succeed, with Belgian sprinter Jasper Philipsen winning the stage in a fast and chaotic finish. Philipsen’s victory marked his 11th Tour stage win in his career. The stage was contested over 175 kilometers, with the final breakaway rival, Jasper Stuyven, caught just 4 kilometers from the finish.

Adam Yates, a key mountain domestique for Tadej Pogacar, continued to battle a stomach illness that had affected him for two days. Despite his illness, Yates managed to finish near the back of the peloton. Pogacar commented that Yates appeared to improve and was eating well, but cautioned that the effects of a bad day can linger.

With three mountain-top finishes approaching, including Orcières-Merlette and two stages concluding at Alpe d’Huez, Yates is expected to be a crucial part of Pogacar’s defense of his title in the coming days.

This article was reported by synthesizing coverage from multiple independent news outlets to present a balanced, unbiased account. Read about our editorial standards. Spotted an error? Let us know.