Overview
- Anti‑doping officials with the International Testing Agency carried out unannounced tests in the early hours on top riders, including Tadej Pogacar and Jonas Vingegaard, and also visited multiple teams during a rest period.
- The ITA told reporters it followed procedure and has a duty, on behalf of the UCI, to protect the integrity of the race and the effectiveness of testing.
- Paris prosecutors and coverage in L'Équipe confirmed the ITA requested and a French judge granted authorization under article L.232‑14‑4 of the French Sports Code, which allows checks between 23:00 and 06:00 when there are serious and consistent suspicions and a risk evidence could disappear.
- Riders, team directors and the Cyclistes' Players Association criticized the timing for disrupting sleep and recovery and warned it could affect safety and performance, while some anti‑doping figures defended night tests as an effective way to detect micro‑dosing.
- No test results or formal accusations have been published and officials stress judicial authorization is a procedural step, not proof of wrongdoing; the episode raises questions about proportionality, precedent and how far authorities may go to catch subtle doping methods.