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
