The Tour de France's anti-doping efforts intensified with overnight drug tests targeting top riders Tadej Pogačar and Jonas Vingegaard, causing widespread debate about the fairness and impact of such late-night procedures. On Monday, officials visited at least six additional teams, including Red Bull-Bora-Hansgrohe, Decathlon CMA CGM, and Bahrain Victorious, as part of the International Testing Agency's (ITA) plan to conduct around 600 tests during the race. Unlike these standard tests conducted between 6 am and 11 pm, the controversial checks took place at unusual hours, disrupting the athletes' sleep and raising questions about whether the policy is applied equally across competitors.

Pogačar expressed frustration over being tested at 5 am, noting that it limited him to just four hours of sleep and impacted his recovery. Vingegaard echoed these concerns, criticizing the timing of the tests and questioning whether all riders face the same treatment. Vingegaard later suffered a crash in Stage 15, resulting in a fractured collarbone and withdrawal from the race, though his team has not linked the accident to the anti-doping checks. The night testing was authorized by a Paris court under French law, which requires strong suspicion for tests conducted between 11 pm and 5 am, but officials have not revealed the specific reasons for selecting these two riders.

The anti-doping community remains divided on the overnight testing strategy. Jonathan Vaughters, a former rider and current EF Education-EasyPost manager, defended the approach as an effective way to detect fast-clearing substances like EPO and testosterone, suggesting it could have deterred doping scandals such as those involving Lance Armstrong. Armstrong himself criticized the practice, calling it a human rights issue. Meanwhile, current riders, including Stage 15 winner Remco Evenepoel, labeled the timing disrespectful and urged the Professional Cyclists’ Association (CPA) to take action. The CPA expressed support for rigorous anti-doping efforts but voiced concerns over the impact of midnight testing on athlete welfare.

The governance of the Tour de France’s anti-doping program is under the UCI, with testing operations managed by the ITA since 2021. The ITA acknowledged the disruptive nature of nighttime tests but emphasized its role in preserving the sport's integrity. While results from these tests will only be made public in case of violations, Pogačar maintained his lead entering Stage 16 following Vingegaard’s exit. The episode underscores cycling’s ongoing struggle with doping, harkening back to the 1998 Festina affair and the subsequent formation of the World Anti-Doping Agency, highlighting the sport’s efforts to balance stringent testing with athlete well-being.