The Tour de France 2026 has been rocked by a fresh controversy, but this time it has nothing to do with crashes or the battle for the yellow jersey. Instead, the spotlight is on the sport’s anti-doping system after race leader Tadej Pogacar and his biggest rival, Jonas Vingegaard, were subjected to surprise overnight drug tests. The unusual timing of the controls sparked criticism from riders and the professional cyclists’ union, forcing the Union Cycliste Internationale (UCI) to publicly defend its actions and reiterate that protecting the integrity of cycling remains its top priority.
Why were Tadej Pogacar and Jonas Vingegaard tested during the night?
Pogacar of UAE Team Emirates-XRG and Vingegaard of Visma-Lease a Bike, who has since withdrawn from the race, underwent unannounced anti-doping tests in the early hours of Sunday, at around 5 a.m. and 2 a.m. respectively.
The UCI said such checks were “exceptional” and carried out only in “limited and justified circumstances”, while stressing the importance of maintaining the integrity of the sport through rigorous anti-doping measures.
Slovenian rider Matej Mohoric said on Tuesday that he too had undergone a test at 5 a.m. during this year’s Tour, without specifying the date.
Riders unhappy with the overnight anti-doping tests
The night-time controls have been criticised by the international riders’ union CPA, which said this practice “runs counter to the intended objectives” because of their impact on riders’ recovery.
“Following a number of reactions in recent days to unannounced anti-doping controls carried out by the International Testing Agency (ITA) during the Tour de France – in particular following the statement issued by the association of professional riders (CPA) – the Union Cycliste Internationale (UCI) wishes to respond and to reaffirm that the fight against doping is an absolute priority,” cycling’s world governing body said in a statement.
“The UCI of course acknowledges that night-time 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,” it added.
What did the UCI say about the Tour de France anti-doping controversy?
The UCI said it “fully supports the ITA’s use of every means at its disposal to carry out its mission as effectively as possible.”
The ITA has managed the UCI’s anti-doping programme since 2021.
Earlier on Wednesday, the Movement for Credible Cycling (MPCC) called “to keep the light on these issues, and to support the development of anti-doping systems that are robust.”
“Cycling’s history has shown that weaknesses and loopholes within anti-doping and whereabouts systems can be vulnerable to exploitation,” the MPCC said.
“Identifying where such vulnerabilities may exist is therefore essential so that appropriate measures can be proposed to address them.”
The ITA said on Tuesday it had tested all riders still in the race on Monday’s second rest day as part of a comprehensive Athlete Biological Passport programme.
(With inputs from Reuters)
