Cyclistes Professionnels Associes criticises 'intrusive' overnight doping tests after Jonas Vingegaard crash at Tour de France, ITA issue response
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Published 20/07/2026 at 22:05 GMT+1
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The Cyclistes Professionnels Associes (CPA) has questioned the relevance of overnight anti-doping tests after Jonas Vingegaard crashed at the Tour de France following an interrupted sleep. Tadej Pogacar was also awoken in the early hours of the morning to undergo doping control.
'A sad sight' - Vingegaard abandons Tour after nasty Stage 15 crash
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Vingegaard told a Danish TV channel that it was "clear that it has not done anything good for it" after a slip saw him break his collarbone and exit the Tour de France on Stage 15.
Pogacar added that the two incidents "could be a little bit connected" after his major general classification rival's abandonment.
In their statement, the CPA confirmed that Vingegaard was called for testing at 02:00 local time on the morning of Sunday, July 19, while Pogacar was summoned at 05:00.
"Night-time testing raises questions about its relevance: Interrupting their rest in the middle of the night for testing now warrants serious consideration," read the CPA's statement.
"The Tour de France is a competition that demands exceptional physical effort. The quality of sleep and recovery is essential not only for performance but also for the health and safety of the riders.
"It is clear that this practice hinders athletes’ recovery during the most important and difficult race on the global calendar and runs counter to the intended objectives."
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Vingegaard's late visit by anti-doping control 'a borderline violation of human rights' - McEwen
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UCI rules restrict testing to a window between 23:00 and 06:00, although a rider can specify a 60-minute window outside of this in which they can be tested.
The only other circumstance in which a rider could be tested overnight is if the authority has a "serious and specific suspicion that the rider is involved in doping."
The CPA's statement added: "Cycling contributes approximately €10 million to funding the fight against doping within the International Testing Agency (ITA) for the collection and analysis of samples, while at the same time the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) spends, on average, only $5 million per year across all sports on basic research to develop new methods for detecting and identifying new doping substances.
"Would it not therefore be more appropriate to invest more in scientific research and detection technologies, rather than increasing the number of particularly intrusive unannounced tests?"
The CPA noted that cyclists are the only athletes who contribute financially to testing and reiterated its "full commitment to a strong, credible and effective anti-doping effort".
Their statement continued: "Our goal is not to call into question the fight against doping - quite the contrary. We want it to be increasingly effective, targeted, and efficient in identifying true cheaters, but always while respecting athletes’ fundamental rights, health, and recovery conditions.
"We also want to ensure that fairness in sports is maintained among athletes and that everyone can benefit from adequate recovery, whereas these targeted and physically taxing tests, on the contrary, hinder it.
"Furthermore, the CPA hopes that all stakeholders will come together to clarify the existing processes and, among other things, ensure that the tests conducted are carried out within a strict legal framework.
"An effective fight against doping is essential. An intelligent fight against doping is just as essential."
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In response, the International Testing Agency (ITA) confirmed that "appropriate precautions" had been put in place to avoid disrupting the riders' well-being.
”The ITA is aware that night-time testing can disrupt riders’ sleep and recovery. Appropriate precautions have therefore been taken to minimise the impact of testing activities on riders as much as possible," read their response to Danish media outlet Feltet, who sought clarification.
"On the other hand, the ITA, on behalf of the UCI, is responsible for the effectiveness of the anti-doping program in cycling and the integrity of the races.
"Effective doping controls must therefore - to a certain extent and in a justified manner - also be able to take place outside the normal 24-hour period.
"All doping tests conducted during the Tour de France and other international events, including decisions regarding when to test, are carried out in accordance with the ITA's anti-doping strategies and WADA's anti-doping rules, the UCI’s anti-doping rules, and French law, while respecting the well-being, equality, and fundamental rights of the riders.”
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