Tour riders face nighttime doping tests.
Tour de France cyclists Tadej Pogacar and Jonas Vingegaard were woken up for nighttime drug tests. The tests were permitted by rules, but riders criticized them as unfair and inhumane. The International Testing Agency oversaw these unusual controls.
French authorities authorized nighttime doping checks for Pogacar and Vingegaard because of ‘serious and consistent suspicions’ of potential violations. The tests occurred at different times, with Pogacar examined around 5:00 AM and Vingegaard around 2:00 AM. Some riders, including Vingegaard, expressed concern about the timing close to a difficult mountain stage. The tests were conducted on multiple teams, including Red Bull-Bora-hansgrohe. The International Testing Agency defended the tests, and the results are pending. Concerns were raised about the disruption to the athletes’ preparation and the scrutiny they faced during the race.
Summarized from the sources above. Read the originals for the full story.
Highlights
Nighttime tests conducted on Pogacar and Vingegaard
Tour de France organizers conducted nighttime drug tests on Tadej Pogacar and Jonas Vingegaard.
Rules allow for nighttime checks
Regulations permit Tour de France officials to conduct drug tests at any time.
Riders criticize the tests
Tadej Pogacar and other riders expressed outrage at being woken up for tests.
Tests based on suspicions
French authorities authorized the tests based on ‘serious and consistent suspicions’ of violations.
Tests disrupted athlete preparation
The timing of the tests caused concern for athletes like Jonas Vingegaard before a demanding stage.
Perspectives
- Nighttime doping tests were conducted on Tadej Pogacar and Jonas Vingegaard during the Tour de France.
- The tests were permitted by regulations and rules.
- French authorities authorized the nighttime checks based on ‘serious and consistent suspicions’.
- Cyclists expressed outrage over the disruption of their sleep and the unfairness of the tests.
Vingegaard and Pogacar found the tests disruptive and unfair, close to a difficult mountain stage. They felt it impacted their preparation.
NU.nl, RTL Nieuws, ZEIT Online, El Mundo, la Repubblica
The International Testing Agency (ITA) defended the tests as necessary for combating doping.
tagesschau, ZEIT Online
Riders like Pogacar and Vingegaard considered the tests ‘inhuman’ and ‘unacceptable’.
NU.nl, RTL Nieuws, Pogacar and Vingegaard kregen nachtelijke dopingcontrole in Tour: 'Is niet normaal', RTBF, BE
The Paris court approved the tests, citing a 2015 law and the ITA’s role in overseeing controls.
Der Standard, AT
Some riders, like Vingegaard, believe the tests could have contributed to his crash.
Der Spiegel, DE
Team leaders like Ralph Denk support the testing procedure, highlighting efforts to combat doping.
ZEIT Online, DE, New, EU