360 out-of-competition tests: The numbers behind anti-doping at the Tour de France

The International Testing Agency has reported that it carried out more than 360 out-of-competition anti-doping controls on Tour de France riders in the month leading up to the race. 

The ITA has also indicated that it will carry out around 600 anti-doping tests during the Tour, which gets under way in Barcelona on Saturday. 

2026 marks the sixth year that the ITA has been responsible for anti-doping controls in professional cycling, and no rider has tested positive at the Tour in that time. Luca Paolini was the last rider to be sanctioned for doping at the Tour when he returned a positive test for cocaine in 2015. 

Alberto Contador in 2010 was the last rider to be stripped of Tour victory due to a positive test on the race. In 2012, Lance Armstrong was later stripped of his Tour wins thanks to evidence and testimony gathered by federal investigators in the United States.

Despite – or perhaps because of – the long sequence without a positive test in the sport’s flagship event, there remain concerns about the credibility of cycling in general and the Tour in particular. 

In a statement on the eve of the Tour, the ITA outlined its anti-doping strategy for this year’s race. It said that its testing will pay particular attention to the steroidal module of the biological passport as well as to the endocrine module, which is used to detect human Growth Hormone abuse.

The ITA confirmed that selected samples would be stored for ten years in order to facilitate reanalysis as new detection methods are developed, and it also pledged “strong cooperation with French and Spanish national authorities.”

The limits of traditional urine and blood testing have been acknowledged by the ITA, which has placed increasing emphasis on intelligence gathering and analytics in order to carry out more targeted testing. 

This year, the agency also initiated a feasibility study to develop a power data passport as part of its anti-doping programme. Approximately 60 riders from Visma | Lease a Bike, Jayco-AlUla, Picnic-PostNL, Decathlon CMA CGM and Cofidis have been participating in the two-year study, where the idea is that power data will be monitored as an intelligence tool to supplement the biological passport.

“The Tour de France remains one of the most visible and demanding events in international sport from an anti-doping perspective,” said ITA Director General Benjamin Cohen.

“Our 2026 program reflects the continued evolution of cycling’s anti-doping strategy through intelligence-led testing, scientific advancements, strengthened investigative capabilities and close cooperation with our partners. 

“We remain committed to protecting the integrity of the race and ensuring that all riders compete under the same rules and conditions.”