To try to dispel the suspicions that have hovered around the Peloton du Tour de France for a long time, the International Cycling Union (UCI) is still trying to improve its controls this year, as unveiled on Wednesday July 2 in its “programs to combat doping and technological fraud” for the big loop.
“We want to guarantee that this prestigious race takes place under fair conditions,” said Benjamin Cohen, Director General of International Testing Agency (ITA), the Independent Agency in charge of checks. With a 35 % increase in its cycling budget this year, the organization has strengthened its strategy in anticipation of the Tour de France (July 5 to 27).
A new longitudinal monitoring tool based on power data
In total, 600 checks, urinary or blood, will be carried out during the race, and 350 in the month preceding it. In addition to a test before departure for all runners and sporadic samples, the yellow jersey and the stage winners will have to submit to one control per day, after arrival. The data collected will be kept over a period of ten years, with the aim of reanalyzing them in the future. The whole thing is accompanied by a strengthening of the analytical capacities and increased monitoring concerning the use of steroids.
In its press release, the International Federation also explains that “ITA also develops a new longitudinal monitoring tool based on power data from masculine professional roads on road runners. This tool is designed to serve as an additional source of information in order to guide targeted controls and advanced laboratory analyzes, prioritize survey and refine the long -term storage of samples ”.
Technological fraud in the UCI viewfinder
In parallel with anti -doping controls, technological assistance hunting will also be strengthened. The number of tests is expected to exceed the 200 mark for the 2025 edition. “It is important that everyone can be sure that athletes’ performance is the result of their personal physical capacities and not of engines,” said Amina Lanaya, Director General of the UCI. To do this, the bikes will be checked before each step, as well as during dedicated commissioners.
After the arrival, the mounts of the winner of the day, carriers of distinctive jerseys and random chosen runners will be the subject of X -ray checks and using magnetic tablets.
