UCI responds to concerns about Tour de France overnight anti-doping controls

The governing body issued a statement following reactions to unannounced anti-doping controls carried out by the International Testing Agency (ITA) during the race. 

The CPA raised concerns after Tadej Pogačar and Jonas Vingegaard revealed they had been tested during the night ahead of stage 15.

Vingegaard said officials arrived at his hotel room at 2am, while Pogačar was visited at 5am. Both riders acknowledged the importance of anti-doping controls but questioned the impact that disrupted sleep could have during the most demanding stages of the Tour.

In a statement released on Wednesday, the UCI said it recognised the concerns surrounding nighttime testing but stressed that such controls remain an exceptional measure used only in specific circumstances.

“The UCI of course acknowledges that nighttime testing can disrupt riders' rest and recovery, and wishes to reiterate that carrying out such controls outside normal hours remains an exceptional measure, reserved for limited and justified circumstances.

“While fully aware of how onerous such a measure is for riders, the UCI nevertheless underscores that these controls serve an overriding interest: the fight against doping.”

The governing body also highlighted that the controls were carried out within the applicable legal framework, referring to the approval of the competent judge in its statement. The overnight tests were authorised by a French judge following an application from the ITA, according to reports fromL’Équipe.

The UCI also reaffirmed its support for the ITA, which has managed cycling’s anti-doping programme since 2021, including the planning and execution of controls.

“With this in mind, the UCI fully supports the ITA's use of every means at its disposal to carry out its mission as effectively as possible, in compliance, naturally, with the World Anti-Doping Code of the World Anti-Doping Agency(WADA), UCI Regulations, and legislation applicable in each country for the conduct of controls (as in the present case, with the approval of the competent judge) and/or the gathering of intelligence.”

The governing body highlighted the scale of its investment in anti-doping measures, stating that more than €10 million is invested annually in the collection, analysis and re-analysis of samples, as well as intelligence gathering across events under its regulatory remit, including the Tour de France.

The UCI said its investment reflects a commitment to protecting riders who follow the rules while strengthening measures against those who cheat, and concluded by reaffirming its support for the ITA’s independent work.

“The UCI will continue to support the ITA in carrying out its mission, in full and complete respect for its independence, in the service of a cleaner and more credible sport of cycling.”