The UCI has released a statement in support of the International Testing Agency (ITA), following the organisation's recent night-time anti-doping controls at the Tour de France.
The ITA, which has managed cycling's anti-doping testing since 2021, visited Tour de France leader Tadej Pogačar and former second-placed man Jonas Vingegaard outside of normal hours (between 6 a.m. and 11 p.m., as stated in UCI regulations) on Sunday morning.
On Tuesday, Cyclingnews learned that five other teams have also been subjected to testing before 5a.m during the Tour de France.
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Being selected for a test, including out-of-hours, is a standard part of anti-doping controls and does not imply any suspicion of, or wrongdoing by, the riders concerned. Neither Pogačar nor Vingegaard have been accused of any anti-doping violation.
The tests provoked several strong reactions from riders – including Remco Evenepoel – and rider unions. The Cyclistes Professionnels Associés (CPA) released a statement in response to the tests calling for a "fairer fight against doping" and stating, "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."
In response to the criticisms, the UCI released a statement approving the ITA's actions on Wednesday afternoon.
"Following a number of reactions in recent days to unannounced anti-doping controls carried out by the International Testing Agency (ITA) during the Tour de France – in particular following the statement issued by the association of professional riders (CPA) – the Union Cycliste Internationale (UCI) wishes to respond and to reaffirm that the fight against doping is an absolute priority," the statement read.
"The UCI of course acknowledges that nighttime testing can disrupt riders' rest and recovery, and wishes to reiterate that carrying out such controls outside normal hours remains an exceptional measure, reserved for limited and justified circumstances. While fully aware of how onerous such a measure is for riders, the UCI nevertheless underscores that these controls serve an overriding interest: the fight against doping."
The UCI had been in charge of anti-doping in the sport before handing over management of testing to the ITA five years ago. The ITA is a Swiss-based organisation, which independently manages anti-doping programmes for various international sporting federations and event organisers.
The UCI reiterated its support of the ITA in its mission.
"In 2021, the UCI entrusted the ITA with the management of its anti-doping programme – including the planning and execution of controls – in order to guarantee its independence and maximise its effectiveness," the UCI statement continued.
"With this in mind, the UCI fully supports the ITA's use of every means at its disposal to carry out its mission as effectively as possible, in compliance, naturally, with the World Anti-Doping Code of the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA), UCI Regulations, and legislation applicable in each country for the conduct of controls (as in the present case, with the approval of the competent judge) and/or the gathering of intelligence.
"The UCI considers it essential that all stakeholders unite and support the anti-doping programme in place in cycling, which is now recognised by the relevant sporting authorities as a benchmark in this field.
"The requirement for independence, rigour and effectiveness in its anti-doping programme comes at a cost to cycling, one borne collectively by all of its stakeholders: every year, more than €10 million is invested in the collection, analysis and re-analysis of samples, as well as in intelligence-gathering, across events falling within the UCI's regulatory remit, including the Tour de France.
"This investment reflects the UCI's determination to protect riders who respect the rules, and to relentlessly pursue the reinforcement of its arsenal against those who cheat.
"The UCI will continue to support the ITA in carrying out its mission, in full and complete respect for its independence, in the service of a cleaner and more credible sport of cycling."
There have been no reports of any further night-time tests since Sunday morning, though all riders at the Tour de France provided biological passport samples during normal testing hours during the race's rest day on Monday, alongside other customary tests.
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