Milan, 22 July (LaPresse) – All remaining riders in the Tour de France underwent anti-doping tests during Monday’s rest day. This was confirmed to LaPresse by the International Anti-Doping Agency (ITA), which is responsible for the tests, explaining in a statement that “during the Tour de France rest day on 20 July 2026, a comprehensive blood testing mission was carried out for the Athlete Biological Passport (ABP). All riders in the peloton were included in the testing programme, which forms part of the ITA’s anti-doping programme for the race, based on intelligence and risk assessment.” “This programme complements the standard pre-race tests carried out on all riders in the days leading up to the start and any other tests already carried out during the race. The collection of additional blood samples enables the ITA to assess changes in relevant haematological biological markers and to strengthen the longitudinal monitoring of each rider’s individual profile. The mission was supported by sample collection staff from the French National Anti-Doping Agency (AFLD)”, the statement continues. The ITA further explains that “the Athlete Biological Passport is not designed to directly detect a prohibited substance or method. Rather, it monitors certain biological variables over time to identify any changes that may indicate the effects of doping and provide useful information for further anti-doping action”. “Cycling was among the first sports to introduce the Athlete Biological Passport, launching its programme in 2008, and since then the ABP has become a central component of anti-doping programmes across international sport,” the agency concludes.
Tour de France, ITA: ‘All riders have undergone anti-doping tests’
Milan, 22 July (LaPresse) – All remaining riders in the Tour de France underwent anti-doping tests during Monday’s rest day. This was confirmed to LaPresse by the International Anti-Doping Agency (ITA), which is responsible for the tests, explaining in a statement that “during the Tour de France rest day on 20 July 2026, a comprehensive blood testing mission was carried out for the Athlete Biological Passport (ABP). All riders in the peloton were included in the testing programme, which forms part of the ITA’s anti-doping programme for the race, based on intelligence and risk assessment.” “This programme complements the standard pre-race tests carried out on all riders in the days leading up to the start and any other tests already carried out during the race. The collection of additional blood samples enables the ITA to assess changes in relevant haematological biological markers and to strengthen the longitudinal monitoring of each rider’s individual profile. The mission was supported by sample collection staff from the French National Anti-Doping Agency (AFLD)”, the statement continues. The ITA further explains that “the Athlete Biological Passport is not designed to directly detect a prohibited substance or method. Rather, it monitors certain biological variables over time to identify any changes that may indicate the effects of doping and provide useful information for further anti-doping action”. “Cycling was among the first sports to introduce the Athlete Biological Passport, launching its programme in 2008, and since then the ABP has become a central component of anti-doping programmes across international sport,” the agency concludes.
