The president of the Union Cycliste Internationale (UCI), David Lappartient, recently voiced his support for the implementation of night-time anti-doping testing during the 2026 Tour de France. He framed such measures as 'a tool in this fight' aimed at combating the use of prohibited substances in professional cycling. According to Lappartient, these tests should remain a rare and exceptional practice rather than a routine part of doping controls.
Champions among those tested after midnight
Among the cyclists subjected to night-time testing were two of the most recent Tour de France champions. Tadej Pogačar, who won the 2023 edition, was tested at 5am, while Jonas Vingegaard, the defending champion from 2022, faced a surprise test at 2am. Notably, Vingegaard later experienced a crash on the same day as his test, resulting in an injury. Despite these incidents, neither rider has faced any accusations of anti-doping violations.
Additional teams were also included in this round of testing. Reports indicated that five more teams underwent unannounced testing before 5am. This timing is unusual, as both the UCI and World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) typically limit anti-doping tests to the period between 6am and 11pm.
Lappartient on the role of night testing
In an interview with The Guardian and Daniel Benson's Substack during the ongoing Tour de France Femmes, Lappartient addressed the broader implications of night-time anti-doping measures. He clarified that while he does not support the regular use of such tests, he believes they can play a role in detecting micro-dosing, a method where cyclists take performance-enhancing drugs in small quantities, making them harder to trace.
Lappartient also linked the absence of press releases from the International Testing Agency (ITA) during the race to the lack of positive tests. He highlighted that the ITA only issues public announcements when tests come back positive, not when results are negative. 'We didn’t see any press release in the Tour de France, so it seems there was nothing in the Tour,' Lappartient stated, emphasizing that random testing is not based on suspicion but serves as a preventive measure.
He further explained that being selected for testing — whether during normal hours or at unusual times — is a standard element of anti-doping procedures. This approach, he argued, helps maintain a level playing field and sends a clear message to athletes across the sport.
UCI defends night testing after rider backlash
The UCI made its stance clear during the third week of the Tour de France. In a statement, it defended the ITA's decision to conduct night-time testing, pushing back against criticisms from the riders' association, the CPA. The organization reiterated that the fight against doping remains an 'absolute priority' for cycling's governing body. Lappartient added that the unpredictability of the testing process is designed to act as a deterrent to potential rule-breakers.
'We always have suspicion in cycling, due to our past. I know what has been done to fight against doping,' he said, highlighting the need to remain vigilant in the sport's ongoing battle with performance-enhancing drugs. He emphasized that night testing is not aimed at individual riders but is intended to create a broader, more intimidating anti-doping environment for all participants.
The UCI's statement also underscored the importance of maintaining trust in the sport. By defending the ITA's actions, the organization sought to reassure fans and stakeholders that measures are in place to ensure fair competition.
Alasdair Fotheringham, a seasoned cycling journalist with decades of experience covering the sport, has followed the Tour de France and other major events extensively. His coverage spans major tournaments, including the Olympic Games, and his insights have appeared in publications like The Guardian and Cyclingnews. Fotheringham's perspective on these developments helps highlight the significance of the UCI's stance in the context of cycling's history and current challenges.
