Anti-doping officials overseeing the Tour de France have dismissed allegations of preferential treatment towards Paul Seixas, the promising 19-year-old French cyclist currently positioned fourth in the overall standings.
On Monday evening, Seixas along with his Decathlon CMA CGM team underwent testing as part of the biological passport initiative, just like the rest of the participants. However, he has not yet been subjected to the overnight testing that both race leader Tadej Pogacar and the recently withdrawn Jonas Vingegaard experienced.
Slovenian cyclist Matej Mohoric, representing the Bahrain Victorious team, was one of the riders tested at 5 a.m. He commented, “It’s important to ensure that all riders are treated equally. We know that this French rider [Seixas], who is in a strong position in the race, did not have to undergo the night-time test.”
The International Testing Agency (ITA) refuted claims of favoritism, clarifying, “The ITA is in charge of the anti-doping strategy for the Tour de France, not the AFLD [the French anti-doping agency]. We utilize our own personnel for sample collection related to doping controls.”
They further stated, “While AFLD may occasionally assist the ITA with additional collectors if necessary, especially during Monday’s testing, the responsibility for determining who is tested and when lies solely with the ITA.”
The ITA emphasized that their decision-making is grounded in factual data, risk assessments, performance analysis, scientific findings, intelligence, and investigative insights, enabling them to operate with precision and impartiality, free from external pressures or political influences.
The Union Cycliste Internationale (UCI) has expressed full support for the night-time testing protocols implemented by the ITA, while also noting that such measures are to be considered exceptional and only used in specific, justified situations.
Mohoric shared his experience, saying, “I was tested at 5 a.m. myself. That’s nearly the middle of the night, especially since we usually go to bed around midnight and have breakfast around 10 a.m. They need to demonstrate that these tests are effective in keeping the sport clean and fair. We are still facing the consequences of cycling’s past issues.”
On Wednesday afternoon, the UCI reiterated that the ITA’s actions underscore the utmost importance of combating doping, acknowledging that night-time testing may disrupt riders’ recovery but serves a critical purpose in the ongoing fight against doping.
In a notable turn of events during the race, Jasper Philipsen emerged victorious in a chaotic 175-kilometer 17th stage from Chambéry to Voiron, leading a diminished main peloton. The stage featured numerous group formations, with Jasper Stuyven being caught just 4 kilometers from the finish line.
This marked Philipsen’s first stage win of the current Tour, following previous setbacks against Tim Merlier—who has since withdrawn—and Dutch sprinter Olav Kooij, Seixas’ teammate. Celebrating his 11th career stage win at the Tour, Philipsen claimed the points classification in 2023.
Meanwhile, Adam Yates, an essential member of Pogacar’s support team in the mountains, struggled with a stomach illness and finished near the back of the peloton. “He looked quite unwell,” Pogacar remarked about his teammate after the Tuesday time trial.
With three mountain-top finishes on the horizon, starting with Orcières-Merlette and a challenging double stage at Alpe d’Huez, Yates is anticipated to play a pivotal role in defending Pogacar’s title. Pogacar noted, “Today he appeared much improved and was eating well, but a bad day can have lingering effects. I hope he hasn’t pushed himself too hard and will be better for tomorrow.”
The integrity of journalism relies on firsthand accounts from knowledgeable sources. If you have insights to share on this topic, you can confidentially reach out to us through various methods.
The Guardian app features a secure tool for submitting story tips. Communications are end-to-end encrypted and blended with regular app activity, ensuring that observers cannot detect any exchanges with us.
If you haven’t downloaded the Guardian app yet, you can obtain it for iOS or Android. Navigate to the menu and select ‘Secure Messaging.’ When prompted to choose a recipient, opt for the ‘Sport (UK and Global)’ team.
Lastly, our guide at theguardian.com/tips provides several secure contact methods and discusses the advantages and disadvantages of each approach.
