Vingegaard crash and night doping tests spark rider backlash at Tour de France

Night‑time anti‑doping controls were carried out on Tour de France favourites Tadej Pogacar and Jonas Vingegaard in the early hours of the night before stage 15 – at 02:00 and 05:00 respectively – after a Paris judge authorised the tests on the basis of “serious and consistent suspicions”. The International Cycling Union’s riders’ union (CPA) said the practice jeopardises athletes’ sleep, recovery and health, calling it “inhuman” and urging a reform of testing procedures.

On the same day Vingegaard crashed on the descent before the final climb of the Plateau de Solaison, suffering a fractured collarbone and being forced to abandon the race. The Danish rider and his team blamed the crash partly on fatigue, with several commentators suggesting the night‑time test may have impaired his concentration. The International Testing Agency defended the tests as necessary in “limited and justified” circumstances, while the judge’s approval and the lack of publicly disclosed evidence have intensified the controversy.

The incident has reignited debate over the balance between rigorous anti‑doping measures and the athletes’ basic right to rest, with riders, team officials and the CPA demanding a smarter, less disruptive testing regime.