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The cycling world has reacted with outrage to the fact that Jonas Vingegaard was required to undergo a nighttime doping test within a span of about 14 hours and was forced to withdraw from the Tour de France after a crash. Yellow jersey wearer Tadej Pogacar has already suggested a connection, and many analysts agree with the Slovenian rider from UAE Emirates-XRG.
At the start of Stage 15 of the Tour de France, the big topic of conversation was that Vingegaard and Pogacar had been woken up in the middle of the night to undergo a doping test. Vingegaard’s turn came at 2:00 a.m., while Pogacar had to go at 5:00 a.m. The teams and teammates in particular were furious, but the riders themselves remained remarkably calm.
Several teams apparently received visits from doping inspectors, and after 2:00 a.m., Vingegaard still had what was essentially a long night ahead of him to get some rest. However, when the Dane withdrew from the Tour de France after a crash, Pogacar said, “Maybe you’re less focused when your sleep has been ruined?”
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Cycling world outraged by Tour de France organisers
Pogacar’s words echoed public opinion on social media. Many cycling fans angrily took to their phones, including former rider Johnny Hoogerland. “Waking up a rider in the middle of the night, between two mountain stages, in the toughest race in the world… And then be surprised that they’re not focused? What on earth are these vampires thinking? I’m speechless.”
Michel Wuyts also went far in his HLN commentary by suggesting that the presence of French hopeful Paul Seixas (Decathlon CMA CGM) might have been a reason to test his rivals Pogacar and Vingegaard overnight. “I suggest that the officials at the French anti-doping agency explain in great detail why they conducted those tests on the top two riders in the general classification.”
"What makes this Tour special is that, for the first time in a long while, there’s a French contender for the podium: 19-year-old Paul Seixas. He was allowed to stay in bed," Wuyts claims. "I’d say that was one of the reasons for conducting that nighttime inspection."
Former cyclist and Tour de France winner (2006) Óscar Pereiro said on Spanish television: “Anyone who has ever ridden a bike, even if only for half an hour, must understand how important rest is. Why does the cycling world continue to tolerate this nonsense to this day? It’s as if they were to point a gun at you at 2:00 a.m. and say, ‘You’re a cheater.’”
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Dumoulin criticises Tour de France organisers for 'confusing roundabout'
Tom Dumoulin, serving as an analyst for NOS, also weighed in. According to the Dutchman, Vingegaard’s withdrawal is entirely due to the Tour de France organisers. He claims the roundabout where the crash occurred was not properly monitored. “There should always be someone standing there with a whistle—it’s really unbelievable,” Dumoulin grumbled.
According to him, Vingegaard’s crash could have been prevented. He referred to “a completely confusing roundabout with a median strip” and said “the Tour organisers should have known this.” The lack of safety measures was Vingegaard’s undoing. “If you don’t get a warning at 50 per hour when you turn in, this is what happens. The first four went well, but the fifth didn’t.”
This is a story that will run and run...
