JONATHAN VAUGHTERS DEFENDS NIGHTTIME DROPPING TESTS, SAYS THEY COULD HAVE SAVED CYCLING 25 YEARS OF DRAMA

Photo: Thibault Camus /AP/TT

Cyclists and teams are complaining about doping tests in the middle of the night during the Tour de France. But the tests are also being defended. “Testing at 2:00 am is effective,” team manager Jonathan Vaughters writes on social media.

The manager of the EF Education team admitted in 2012 that he had doped during his cycling career. He believes that nighttime tests are effective in detecting microdosing of EPO, growth hormone and testosterone.

"If the UCI (International Cycling Union) had tested us at 2:00 AM in 2001, we would all have been suspended, saving the sport 25 years of drama," writes Vaughters.

The 1990s and 2000s were a dark period for cycling when many stars were either caught or admitted to doping, including Lance Armstrong.

Tour de France leader Tadej Pogacar and Olympic champion Remco Evenepoel have called nighttime doping tests inhumane and disrespectful.

- TT News Agency,English edition by Sweden Herald

JULIEN BERNARD FINED FOR KISSING WIFE DURING TOUR DE FRANCE

Julien Bernard loved stage seven more than most riders.(Supplied)

 GEVREY-CHAMBERTIN, France -- French rider Julien Bernard was fined 200 Swiss francs ($223) by the International Cycling Union after he stopped to kiss his wife during the time-trial seventh stage of the Tour de France.

Fifteen minutes into Friday's time trial, held in Bernard's home region of Burgundy, the rider paused to kiss his wife and young son who were standing in the road among a group of family and friends.

The UCI said in a statement that Bernard's behavior had been inappropriate and damaged the image of the sport.

"I'm sorry UCI for damaging the image of the sport," Bernard said on X. "But I'm willing to pay 200 Swiss francs every day and experience this moment again."

In a television interview, Bernard said the encounter with his loved ones had been a unique moment in his career.

"It was really incredible. My wife has been organizing this with some friends for a few weeks now, and she did a really, really good job," he said. "On a time trial, you have time to enjoy yourself. It's these moments that keep me going and cycling."

- Reuters 

LOPEZ PROVISIONALLY SUSPENDED FOR POTENTIAL ANTI-DOPING RULE VIOLATION | UCI

Reuters

Colombian rider Miguel Angel Lopez has been provisionally suspended for a potential anti-doping rule violation, the International Cycling Union (UCI) said on Tuesday.

Lopez, currently of Colombian Team Medellin-EPM, has been notified of a potential violation for use and possession of a prohibited substance in the weeks prior to the Giro d'Italia in 2022, the UCI said in a statement.