Evenepoel, Jorgenson and Vermeersch slam overnight doping tests on Pogacar and Vingegaard
Riders question the timing of surprise doping controls after the Tour favourites were woken during crucial recovery hours
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Matteo Jorgenson and Florian Vermeersch have strongly criticised the decision to wake Jonas Vingegaard and Tadej Pogačar for unannounced doping controls during the night.
The incident quickly became the main talking point before the start of stage fourteen of the 2026 Tour de France. Vingegaard was reportedly disturbed at around 2am, while race leader Pogačar was tested at approximately 5am.
Jorgenson, who rides alongside Vingegaard at Visma | Lease a Bike, said he had been advised not to discuss the matter publicly. The American chose to speak out regardless.
“I was asked to keep my opinion to myself, but this shows a complete lack of respect for the riders,” Jorgenson told Het Laatste Nieuws.
He argued that sleep and recovery are among the most important factors during a three week Grand Tour, especially during a decisive sequence of climbing stages.
“We put a huge amount of effort into recovery. It is incredibly important, particularly between two of the hardest mountain stages of this Tour. Then you are woken at 2am. That genuinely makes me angry.”.
Vermeersch, one of Pogačar’s key support riders at UAE Team Emirates XRG, was equally critical of the timing. He said the Slovenian had remained calm, but suggested the interruption may have left the yellow jersey with only five hours of sleep.
“Tadej dealt with it well, but I find it almost inhumane and completely absurd,” Vermeersch said to Het Laatste Nieuws.
“As far as I know, it is also the first time he has been woken this early for a control. People will say we are complaining, but this is ridiculous.”
Vermeersch added that it remained to be seen whether the incident would affect Pogačar’s performance later in the day.
“Maybe it will make him even more motivated. Who knows. Perhaps it gives him energy.”
Evenepoel thought it was a mistake
Remco Evenepoel, the only rider on the podium who was not tested, was also stunned when he learned when Vingegaard’s test had taken place. The Belgian initially appeared to think there had been a misunderstanding.
“At 2am?” Evenepoel said in an interview with Sporza. “That cannot be right. No, surely that is not allowed.”
Asked how he would react if a doping control officer arrived at his hotel room at that hour, Evenepoel offered a blunt response.
“I would not say anything. I would just keep sleeping.”
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