ITA Sparks Tour Row With 2 a.m. and 5 a.m. Tests on Vingegaard, Pogacar

Q: What secret evidence prompted judges to approve controversial nocturnal drug tests on the Tour de France's top riders?

The short answer is that the public does not know. Neither the International Testing Agency nor the French judicial authorities have disclosed the specific evidence that led a judge to authorize the overnight tests on Tadej Pogacar, Jonas Vingegaard and others. What is known is the legal threshold. Under French sports law, anti-doping controls between 11 p.m. and 5 a.m. require prior approval from a Paris judge, who must be satisfied there are “serious and concordant” or “serious and specific” suspicions of a possible anti-doping violation, that evidence could disappear if testing waits until morning, and that the measure is proportionate. The Paris prosecutor’s office confirmed that such authorization was obtained. The likely rationale is the risk of micro-dosing rather than any publicly proven offense. Anti-doping officials say substances such as EPO, hGH and testosterone can be taken in small doses during the night and clear the body within hours, making standard morning controls less effective. That is the general justification for nocturnal testing under UCI and WADA rules. But that general anti-doping logic is not the same as disclosed proof against any rider. The judge’s order functions more like a search warrant than a finding of guilt. So while the law required concrete suspicion and a risk of lost evidence, the “secret evidence” itself remains confidential, and no positive test linked to these controls has been reported.

3 articles · Updated · The Guardian · Jul 22

2 a.m. and 5 a.m. anti-doping visits to Jonas Vingegaard and Tadej Pogacar have intensified controversy at the Tour de France, with test results still undisclosed.
The checks fell outside the usual 6 a.m. to 11 p.m. window but were authorized by the Paris prosecutor's office, prompting criticism over whether the intrusion on riders' rights was proportionate.
Jonathan Vaughters backed the ITA's work while arguing a French judge likely faced a low bar to approve the warrant; riders' union vice-president Pascal Chanteur also questioned the prosecutor's role.
The ITA has said it avoids mass testing because of cost, and Chanteur suggested the different test times reflected limited resources rather than special suspicion around either rider.
The dispute has left the race under a cloud even as Remco Evenepoel won stage 16 and cut Pogacar's overall lead to just over 4 1/2 minutes.

Sources

The Guardian6h ago

Tour de France: ITA Nocturnal Doping Tests on Vingegaard, Pogacar Spark Controversy

Front Office Sports15h ago

Late-Night Drug Tests Spark Backlash, Intrigue at Tour de France

Yahoo Sports22h ago

Lance Armstrong accuses Tour de France anti-doping officials of 'human rights issue' after Jonas Vingegaard crash - Yahoo Sports

6 Sources

What secret evidence prompted judges to approve controversial nocturnal drug tests on the Tour de France's top riders?

Is 2 AM drug testing a necessary evil for cycling's integrity or an unacceptable violation of athletes' rights?

2026 Tour de France Night-Time Doping Tests: Legal, Ethical, and Competitive Fallout

Overview

On July 19, 2026, the Tour de France was shaken when race leader Tadej Pogacar and rival Jonas Vingegaard were subjected to night-time anti-doping tests, with Pogacar tested at 5 a.m. and Vingegaard at 2 a.m. These early morning controls, organized by the International Testing Agency for the UCI, required judicial authorization under French law. The disruptive timing sparked widespread debate among riders, teams, and anti-doping authorities, raising concerns about athlete welfare and the integrity of the competition. This incident highlighted the ongoing tension between strict anti-doping enforcement and protecting athletes’ rights.

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