UCI pledges increase in motor doping checks at Tour de France

The Union Cycliste Internationale (UCI) has announced its comprehensive anti-doping and technological fraud detection programmes for the 2025 Tour de France, featuring nearly 1,000 doping tests and enhanced bike inspection protocols throughout the three-week race taking place from 5-27 July. 

At the Tour, several checks will be deployed to detect any form of technological fraud, including concealed propulsion systems, particularly motors, with the aim that the process will act as a deterrent.

The multi-layered approach will see pre-stage inspections at team buses using magnetometer scans, extensive monitoring during the stages through the UCI Video Commisaire, and post-stage X-ray checks on the bikes of the stage winner, riders wearing a leader's jersey, randomly selected riders, and anyone whose performance triggers suspicion detected by the UCI Video Commisaire. 

“The UCI once again has a comprehensive programme in place to fight against technological fraud at the Tour de France. It is important that everyone can be sure that the athletes’ performances are due to their physical performance – not motors," said UCI Director General Amina Lanaya.

"Our responsibility is to stay ahead of any threat to the fairness of competition, and we continue to invest in robust detection systems and intelligence frameworks to ensure all riders and teams compete on equal terms," Lanaya added.

2024 saw the UCI conduct 192 X-ray checks during the Tour de France, representing a 17% increase from 2023, and the UCI have stated their ambitions to improve both the quantity and quality of these checks for 2025. As of the press release on July 2, more than 600 X-ray checks have been carried out so far in 2025, representing a 24% increase from the same period last year.

The UCI has also announced that the anti-doping strategy for the Tour de France will be led by the International Testing Agency (ITA), the body which is responsible for the year-round implementation of the cycling anti-doping programme. 

Over 40 ITA staff, including sample collection personnel, will be at the start of the Grand Départ in Lille, and all participating riders will undergo pre-race testing as part of their medical monitoring. The yellow jersey and stage winners will also be regularly tested throughout the race.

The Paris-based World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) accredited laboratory will analyse all samples collected throughout the race. The ITA's experienced personnel, which includes 13 expert doping control and blood collection officers, will conduct the testing operations with support from the French Anti-Doping Agency (AFLD).

Selected samples will also be stored for up to 10 years for potential re-analysis as detection methods advance. Following the 2024 Tour de France, the ITA retained 76 samples for future analysis as part of a broader programme that saw 1,690 samples from various competitions placed in long-term storage after "careful assessment of various risk factors." In addition, 490 samples collected in 2015 were re-analysed and all returned negative. 

The press release also stated that the ITA is developing a new 'longitudinal performance monitoring tool based on power data from men professional road riders' which will serve as extra information to guide testing and analysis, prioritise investigation, and refine long-term sample storage.

"The Tour de France is not only one of the most iconic events in sport, but it is also a key moment for protecting the integrity of cycling. Our approach in 2025 reflects a continued commitment to intelligent, data-driven anti-doping strategies grounded in science, collaboration and continuous improvement," said the Director General of the ITA, Benjamin Cohen.

"By combining targeted testing with advanced analytical tools such as the endocrine module, long-term sample storage and performance monitoring initiatives, we aim to ensure that this prestigious race is contested on a level playing field. We are proud to lead these efforts on behalf of the UCI and in close coordination with all our trusted partners," Cohen said.