La Vuelta anti-doping samples to be analyzed in France

For the first time in the history of anti-doping controls for La Vuelta, biological samples will be analyzed abroad rather than in Spain. This shift is due to the fact that both WADA-accredited laboratories in Spain, located in Madrid and Barcelona, are currently closed for renovations.

Blood and urine samples collected from riders will be sent to the French Anti-Doping Laboratory (LADF) in Orsay, near Paris. The laboratory previously handled nearly 6,300 samples during the 2024 Olympic Games.

Testing for the race, which begins in Monaco and concludes in Granada on September 13, will include both scheduled checks at finish lines and surprise controls at hotels. The International Testing Agency (ITA) manages the testing process under the oversight of the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA).