Evenepoel and Lipowitz were also woken up for a nighttime doping test: 'Some riders already asleep'

Jonas Vingegaard and Tadej Pogacar were tested for doping on Saturday night into Sunday. It caused quite a stir in the peloton, especially after Vingegaard crashed out of the Tour on Sunday. Some considered the tests inhumane, while others understood their purpose. It turned out that more riders had been tested, and now Red Bull-BORA-hansgrohe has also confirmed that they received a visit.

Vingegaard was woken up at 2 a.m., and Pogacar three hours later. This disrupted the pair’s sleep just before a crucial mountain stage. Their teammates were furious, and that likely didn’t improve after Vingegaard crashed during the fifteenth stage. He broke his collarbone: could a short night’s sleep have been the cause of the crash?

It’s all speculation, but the rumor mill kept turning. The ITA (International Testing Agency) responded after all the commotion, and L'Équipe reported that even the French court had given the inspectors permission to conduct nighttime visits. Normally, that’s not allowed, but an exception is made only when there are serious suspicions of doping. Oliver Naesen reported that they were looking for growth hormones.

The riders’ union also issued a statement. CPA Director Adam Hansen was critical of the entire incident. He emphasized the importance of a clean sport and the associated testing, but criticized the way it’s being handled. Jonathan Vaughters, team manager of EF Education-EasyPost, however, put it another way: “I’m happy to put up with those sleepless nights in exchange for a little extra credibility.”

In their response, the CPA also confirmed that Vingegaard and Pogačar were not the only ones who were woken up in the middle of the night. Ralph Denk has now confirmed this to ZDF as well. The team manager of Red Bull-BORA-hansgrohe explains how his team was also inspected during the night. “We also had a visit last night. Some riders were already asleep and cooperated with the inspections,” said the German.

Pogacar reported getting only five hours of sleep. Denk also sees the downside of nighttime testing. “It certainly hinders recovery,” he says. Nevertheless, he also views the testing as crucial. “We have a dark past in cycling, and that’s why it’s good that these tests are being conducted here,” he explains. Vaughters shared the same view.

There’s not much that can be done about it, says the team manager of Red Bull-BORA-hansgrohe. If everything is done by the rules, the riders will just have to accept the setback. “The regulations allow for late-night testing. It ensures that our sport remains clean and credible, so this is simply part of it,” Denk concludes. According to Kicker, all eight riders were tested, including team leaders Florian Lipowitz and Remco Evenepoel.