How Tour de France Anti-Doping Is Changing for 2026

July 2, 2026

Anti-doping controls for the 2026 Tour de France began weeks before the peloton rolls out Saturday in Barcelona.

The International Testing Agency says it has already conducted more than 360 out-of-competition controls and will have more than 40 officials across the three-week race.

The agency is also coordinating with Spanish and French police and customs authorities as the race starts in Barcelona before returning to France on stage 3.

The strategy reflects how anti-doping has changed for the 2026 Tour.

“The Tour de France remains one of the most visible and demanding events in international sport from an anti-doping perspective,” ITA director general Benjamin Cohen said.

The ITA plans to collect more than 600 in-competition samples during the next three weeks in cycling’s biggest race. VELO