Tour de France Riders Criticize 2 A.M. Anti-Doping Tests Despite Rule Permissibility The Tour de France riders expressed strong disapproval of the timing of surprise anti-doping controls conducted at 2 a.m., following revelations that top cyclists such as Tadej Pogačar and Jonas Vingegaard were abruptly awakened during the race’s critical Alpine stages. While international anti-doping regulations permit testing at any time, the unannounced early-morning inspections, carried out by the International Testing Agency (ITA), sparked significant backlash from athletes and team officials. The tests occurred between two of the race’s most grueling mountain stages, disrupting recovery and raising concerns about the physical and mental toll on riders. The controversy arose after Pogačar and Vingegaard were woken at 5 a.m. and 2 a.m., respectively, ahead of Sunday’s decisive stage, which concluded atop the HC Plateau de Solaison. Matteo Jorgenson of Visma-Lease a Bike described the timing as a “complete lack of respect for the riders,” emphasizing the importance of rest after consecutive high-intensity mountain stages. Jorgenson, who was instructed to keep his comments private, criticized the disruption to recovery, stating, “We are working hard on recovery. That is hugely important, especially between two of the toughest mountain rides in this Tour. And then you get woken up at 2 a.m. That makes me really angry.” Similar frustrations were voiced by other riders, including Florian Vermeersch of UAE Emirates-XRG, who called the early testing “inhumane and insane.” Vermeersch noted that Pogačar, the race leader, had never been subjected to such an early awakening before, though he acknowledged the leader handled the interruption well. “I think Tadej only slept for five hours.#tadej_pogaar #matteo_jorgenson #jonas_vingegaard #international_testing_agency #visma_lease_a_bike
Tour de France Riders Subjected to Midnight Anti-Doping Tests The Tour de France’s top contenders, Tadej Pogačar and Jonas Vingegaard, were both woken in the early hours of Saturday for unannounced anti-doping tests, disrupting their sleep and recovery as the race entered its 15th stage. The tests, conducted by the International Testing Agency (ITA) on behalf of the Union Cycliste Internationale (UCI), followed the conclusion of stage 14, which Pogačar won in a solo breakaway. The incident has sparked discussions about the balance between rigorous anti-doping measures and the physical demands placed on athletes. Pogačar, the overall leader wearing the yellow jersey, was tested at 5 a.m., while Vingegaard, the second-placed rider, was subjected to the same procedure three hours earlier. Both riders expressed frustration over the timing, which interrupted their sleep cycles and affected their performance. Vingegaard, speaking to Eurosport before Sunday’s stage, described the experience as a “big surprise” and noted that the tests “took me about 40 minutes before I was back in my room.” He emphasized that while the tests are necessary, their impact on sleep and recovery is significant. Pogačar echoed similar sentiments, stating he had only managed four hours of sleep after being woken in the middle of the night. “I always go to sleep late, so it was a big shock for me,” he said, adding that he spent the early hours “chilling listening to some old Eminem hits and making coffee” to stay alert. Both riders acknowledged the importance of anti-doping efforts but highlighted the challenges of conducting such tests during the grueling Tour de France.#tadej_pogaar #jonas_vingegaard #tour_de_france #international_testing_agency #union_cycliste_internationale
Tadej Pogacar and Jonas Vingegaard Woken by Drug Testers in Early Hours Ahead of Critical Tour de France Stage Tadej Pogacar and Jonas Vingegaard, the two leading contenders in the Tour de France general classification, were abruptly awakened in the early hours of the morning by unannounced drug testers conducted by the International Testing Agency (ITA). The tests, part of the sport’s ongoing anti-doping efforts, took place ahead of the pivotal mountain stage to Plateau de Solaison, which would determine the race’s trajectory in its final week. Vingegaard, riding for Team Visma-Lease a Bike, was roused at 2 a.m., while Pogacar, with UAE Team Emirates, was tested three hours later at approximately 5 a.m. The unannounced nature of the tests, which have been permitted by the Tour de France since 2016, disrupted the sleep patterns of both riders. Pogacar, who had only managed four hours of sleep after retiring at 1 a.m., described the experience as challenging. “I couldn’t get back to sleep,” he admitted before the stage, revealing that he spent the early morning hours listening to old Eminem songs and making coffee. He expressed sympathy for the testers, acknowledging their role in upholding anti-doping protocols but noting the personal toll on athletes. “I feel sorry for the guys who have to wake us up. They are just doing their job,” he said. Vingegaard, meanwhile, voiced frustration over the timing of the test. “I guess the ITA didn’t allow me to sleep much,” he told TNT Sports. “I was sleeping very well but then somebody knocked on my door at 2 a.m. Big surprise to me but of course I mean it’s good that they test, but when it’s affecting performance and your sleep I don’t think it’s so good.#tadej_pogacar #jonas_vingegaard #international_testing_agency #team_visma_lease_a_bike #uae_team_emirates
Jonas Vingegaard Targets Grand Tour Slam as Giro d’Italia Begins in Bulgaria Jonas Vingegaard’s bid to complete a rare Grand Tour grand slam by winning the 2026 Giro d’Italia begins in Bulgaria on Friday, marking his debut in the race. The double Tour de France winner, who claimed victory in the 2022 and 2023 editions of the Tour, is the overwhelming favorite for the final stage in Rome on 31 May. His chances are bolstered by the absence of Tadej Pogacar, the Slovenian rider who has dominated this season with nine wins in 11 races. Pogacar’s absence, along with other top contenders, has created a void in the peloton, positioning Vingegaard as the most likely contender for the maglia rosa. Vingegaard’s bid is further complicated by the departure of several key rivals. Remco Evenepoel, the double Olympic champion, and Paul Seixas, the prodigious French teenager, have prioritized the Tour de France, with Seixas set to make his debut as the youngest rider in the race in 89 years. Notable absentees from the Giro include Tom Pidcock, who finished third to Vingegaard in the 2025 Vuelta a España, and Florian Lipowitz, a rising German rider who claimed a podium finish in Paris last July. Pogacar’s teammate Isaac del Toro is also absent, leaving the Giro’s field significantly weakened. For Vingegaard, the Giro represents an opportunity to reassert his dominance after being overshadowed by Pogacar’s recent success. At 29, he faces the challenge of staying ahead of Seixas, a rider 10 years his junior who has already demonstrated the ability to match Pogacar’s aggressive racing style. However, Vingegaard’s recent form suggests he is returning to his peak.#tadej_pogacar #jonas_vingegaard #giro_ditalia #netcompany_ineos #visma_leaseabike
