UCI President Supports Night-Time Testing in Cycling Amid Doping Concerns

The UCI President's Stance on Night-Time Testing

UCI president David Lappartient has said there will “always be suspicion in cycling” and insisted this year’s men’s Tour de France was clean. Speaking at the start of stage two of the Tour de France Femmes in Aigle, Lappartient also said he supported night-time testing during races in “exceptional cases”. Lappartient added that the absence of any positive test announcements by the International Testing Agency (ITA) indicated that last month’s men’s Tour was drug free. “The ITA never make a press release about negative results, only about positive results,” said Lappartient.

Tadej Pogacar and his rival Jonas Vingegaard were subjected to night-time tests during this year's race, but no specific times are provided.

“We will not support something they do every night on the riders. The normal hours [of testing] are not in the night,” said the head of cycling’s governing body. “However, we support the ITA if they have to do some specific test, because we know that, with micro-dosing EPO, that’s something you can’t detect six or seven hours after.”

“We always have suspicion in cycling, due to our past. I know what has been done to fight against doping. Night testing is a tool in this fight, but it is not a tool to use every day,” said Lappartient. “You must use it very exceptionally. It’s not suspicion about any rider, but it’s a global message to the bunch.”

Lappartient is an International Olympic Committee member alongside the besieged Fifa president, Gianni Infantino, and was re-elected UCI president unopposed for a third term in September last year. Lappartient highlighted the importance of transparency in reforming professional cycling by consulting with teams, riders, and organizers before implementing any changes.

“I will not interfere in Fifa’s matters, but I can tell you that in the UCI transparency is important,” Lappartient said. “When we want to make a reform of professional cycling, we will first make a presentation to the teams, the riders and the organisers. We have consultation with the stakeholders.”

By maintaining open communication channels and involving all relevant parties, Lappartient aims to build trust and ensure that reforms are effective and well-received in the competitive world of professional cycling.

Source: The Guardian