Following the night-time doping tests carried out on Tour de France winners Tadej Pogacar and Jonas Vingegaard, the International Association of Professional Cyclists (CPA) has called for a reform of testing practices. Mid-night tests call into question the validity of the current approach, the riders’ association wrote in a statement.
Whilst the professionals expressly supported the fight against doping and wanted a clean sport, they argued that current practices were detrimental to the athletes’ recovery, health and performance. They went on to say that adequate recovery times were a fundamental part of both sporting performance and the riders’ safety.
The drivers’ association emphasised that it was not questioning the fight against doping. Rather, its aim was to establish a more effective and, at the same time, more intelligent testing system that took greater account of the athletes’ fundamental rights, as well as their health and recovery.
Co-favourite Vingegaard in for a check-up at 2.00 am
Co-favourite Vingegaard crashed on Sunday during the 15th stage of the Tour de France and was forced to withdraw due to a broken collarbone. The two-time Tour champion from Denmark had previously been woken up by the inspectors at 2.00 am. Four-time champion Pogacar, who is heading for his fifth Tour victory with a clear lead, was up at 5.00 am.
Doping tests usually take place between 6.00 am and 11.00 pm. Although night-time doping tests have also been possible since 2016, they are subject to stricter guidelines, for example where there are specific grounds for suspicion. The French sports newspaper *L’Equipe* reported that, according to its sources, a judge in Paris had authorised the night-time tests on Pogacar and Vingegaard in advance.
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