India, July 19 -- In the demanding environment of the Tour de France, recovery is just as important as performance. However, for general classification leaders Tadej Pogacar and Jonas Vingegaard, rest was abruptly interrupted ahead of Sunday's Stage 15. Both riders underwent unannounced anti-doping controls in the middle of the night.

Why Were Tadej Pogacar and Jonas Vingegaard Tested During the Night?

Unannounced nighttime anti-doping tests are a standard, albeit infrequent, procedure at the Tour. Since 2016, regulations have permitted testers to conduct on-the-spot controls between 11:00 p.m. and 6:00 a.m. local time. The primary goal of the International Testing Agency is to maintain a clean race by targeting periods when athletes le...