The Tour de France has seen heightened scrutiny following revelations about night-time doping tests conducted on two of the race’s leading cyclists, Jonas Vingegaard and Tadej Pogacar. The International Testing Agency (ITA) received judicial approval in France to carry out a blood test on Vingegaard at 2 a.m. and on Pogacar at 5 a.m., sparking debate over the timing and implications of such measures.
The tests, authorized by a French judge, were described by the ITA as part of an intensified anti-doping effort. According to reports, the agency had to demonstrate “serious and consistent suspicions” to secure the court order, though some sources suggest the tests also reflect a broader strategy to maximize regulatory tools against doping. Organizers of the Tour de France, overseen by the Amaury Sport Organisation (ASO), expressed concern that media coverage implied prior evidence of wrongdoing, a notion the ITA and its defenders have disputed.
Jonathan Vaughters, a former professional cyclist and chief executive of the EF Education–EasyPost team, addressed the controversy ahead of the race’s 16th stage individual time trial between Évian and Thonon. Vaughters acknowledged the discomfort imposed on athletes by night-time testing, noting that such interruptions can disrupt sleep and increase risk. However, he emphasized the necessity of unpredictable testing windows to detect substances like EPO and human growth hormone, which clear quickly from the body and are otherwise difficult to identify. “I would rather lose sleep than lose credibility,” Vaughters said, underlining the importance of safeguarding the sport’s integrity.
Despite Vaughters’ support for aggressive testing, concerns remain over athlete safety. Vingegaard recently suffered a collarbone injury from a crash the day after his 2 a.m. test, prompting questions about the risks of fatigue in an already perilous sport. Vingegaard himself remarked that crashes occur regardless of sleep quality, leaving open the debate over whether such testing practices exacerbate danger.
The ITA operates under a €10 million annual budget largely funded by the Union Cycliste Internationale (UCI), alongside contributions from race organizers, teams, and riders. While the ITA conducts extensive testing—surpassing that of many other sports—it has reported few positive doping findings since its inception over five years ago. This relative scarcity of infractions has reportedly caused dissatisfaction among some within the UCI, possibly motivating the introduction of night-time testing at this year’s Tour.
Samples taken during these early-morning tests will require several weeks for analysis, with no public announcements expected unless abnormalities arise. Observers suggest the move has already achieved part of its goal: raising awareness of the rigor of cycling’s anti-doping program.
Meanwhile, competition on the road delivered notable moments during the 16th stage. Belgian rider Remco Evenepoel produced a commanding performance in the 26.1 km individual time trial, besting Yellow Jersey wearer Pogacar by 28 seconds and trimming his overall deficit to 4 minutes 32 seconds. Pogacar acknowledged Evenepoel’s strength and expressed eagerness to continue battling through the upcoming Alpine stages.
The day also brought misfortune for Florian Lipowitz, a teammate of Evenepoel, who crashed heavily with about 6 kilometers remaining. Suffering injuries that forced him out of the race, Lipowitz’s exit was a significant loss as he had been positioned fifth in the general classification. This marked the second consecutive stage where a top-five rider was eliminated due to crashes, highlighting cycling’s inherent risks.
Tom Pidcock delivered a strong showing, finishing 12th in the time trial and moving up to eighth overall. Reflecting on his performance, Pidcock described it as possibly his best time trial yet, citing a cautious approach on the technical descent but strong climbing form. As the race moves into its most demanding stages, Pidcock’s form may lend him an advantage in the battles ahead.