(Content Update)
Overview and Background of the Paris Court's Warrant Approval
During the 2026 Tour de France, while Tadej Pogačar and Jonas Vingegaard were vying for the overall lead, surprise doping tests were conducted in the early morning hours (5:00 AM and 2:00 AM respectively) on July 18th and 19th.
Judicial Warrant Issuance
According to the Paris Prosecutor's Office and reports from L’Équipe, these tests were carried out following a request from the International Testing Agency (ITA) to the Paris Regional Court. A judge specializing in freedoms and detentions (JLD) approved the warrant based on Article L.232-14-4 of French sports law.
First-Ever Case
Since the introduction of relevant regulations in the 2015 French law and its implementation in 2016, this is the first time that a judicial procedure for approving nighttime doping tests has been applied.
Legal Requirements and Evidence Tampering Concerns
Under French law and regulations of the International Cycling Union (UCI), nighttime testing (between 11:00 PM and 6:00 AM) requires "serious and concrete suspicion" that an athlete is involved in doping, and it must be deemed necessary to prevent evidence from being destroyed before morning.
Targeting Micro-Doping
It is believed that the judicial authorities and ITA took this drastic measure to detect micro-doping substances or techniques that disappear from the body within a few hours.
Athlete Harm and Accident Controversy
Nighttime testing has been met with fierce criticism for disrupting athletes' recovery and increasing safety risks. Vingegaard, who was tested at 2:00 AM, crashed 20 kilometers before the finish line of stage 15 (Plateau de Solsson) and suffered a broken collarbone, ultimately withdrawing from the race.
Pogačar's Criticism
Pogačar, who was tested at 5:00 AM, criticized the nighttime testing as "inhumane," suggesting that it disrupted his sleep and recovery, potentially contributing to Vingegaard's concentration lapse and subsequent crash.
Other Teams and Athletes Affected
Besides Pogačar and Vingegaard, several other riders from at least two different teams reportedly underwent surprise nighttime tests during the race. In contrast, some experienced team doctors stated that they had never encountered nighttime testing before, expressing astonishment at this unprecedented measure.
ITA and Prosecutor's Office Stance (Emphasis on Fairness and Effectiveness)
The ITA and the French prosecutor's office acknowledged that nighttime testing disrupts athletes' rest but emphasized their responsibility to ensure the fairness of the Tour de France and the effectiveness of the doping prevention program. They stated that they adhered to strict proportionality between athletes' fundamental rights and health protection.
CPA (Professional Cyclists Association) and Fellow Riders' Opposition
The CPA issued a statement emphasizing that sleep and recovery are crucial for athletes' health and safety in the Tour de France, which is an extremely demanding race. They argued that nighttime surprise testing infringes on athletes' recovery.
Furthermore, the CPA pointed out that while the cycling world spends approximately €10 million annually on doping tests and sample analysis for the ITA, the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) invests only around $5 million annually in research on new doping detection technologies across all sports.
The union strongly criticized the ITA's enforcement methods, arguing that "instead of increasing surprise tests that constantly violate athletes, it would be more reasonable to prioritize budget allocation for scientific research and development of detection technologies for new substances."
Doping tests are not supposed to be conducted between 11:00 PM and 6:00 AM. Despite the regulations, why do you think Vingegaard was tested at 2:00 AM and you at 5:00 AM?
Pogačar: I don't know. This year, there have been a lot of doping tests that are hard to understand. It seems like they are testing in a different way now. Since January 1st this year, I have been tested so many times, from the beginning of the spring classics season until the end.
It has become part of my routine to check every morning at 6:00 AM if the testers have arrived. Even when I go out, I avoid going for dinner or to the supermarket so as not to miss a visit from the testers because they often come outside the regular hours.
During Strade Bianche, there was a blood test after the race, and it felt strange. Before April 1st, the regulations required a two-hour waiting period before taking blood samples after a sauna or intense training. After finishing Strade Bianche, I went to the testing area an hour and a half after the press conference. There were six riders waiting for their doping tests. However, they had already started drawing blood from some riders who arrived only an hour after the finish.
Note: The doctor who woke me up at 5:00 AM this morning was a nice person. He apologized for waking me up at that time and proceeded with the test. That's why I asked him. After all, according to the regulations, tests are not supposed to be conducted between 11:00 PM and 6:00 AM. But they explained it as "night control." I didn't say anything about it. I hoped to go back to sleep afterward, but I couldn't.
Doping tests are a bit difficult to understand, but if they help us prove that we are competing cleanly, then I accept them. If necessary, of course. But during the three weeks of the Tour de France, there were days when I could only sleep for four hours. That's just ridiculous.
Jonas, who was tested at 2:00 AM, probably slept less than four hours. And his deep sleep must have been disrupted. If this is something we have to accept, then there's nothing we can do about it. I hope that things will improve in the future.
