As part of its anti-doping mandate delegated by the UCI, the ITA is responsible for the year-round implementation of the cycling anti-doping program. Within this framework, the ITA will independently manage the clean sport strategy for the 2025 Tour de France. This program features a targeted, intelligence-led testing plan grounded in the latest scientific developments and risk-based analysis.
Key features of the ITA anti-doping strategy for the 2025 Tour de France include:
- Deployment of over 40 ITA and sample collection personnel at the Grand Départ in Lille
- Around 350 out-of-competition tests in the month prior to the race
- Around 600 in-competition samples to be collected during the event
- Strengthened data analysis capacity to refine the testing and Athlete Biological Passport (ABP) strategy both out-of-competition and in-competition, with a particular focus on Grands Tours
- Strong cooperation with French national authorities
- Long-term storage and potential re-analysis of selected samples over a 10-year horizon in anticipation of future new detection methods or scientific developments
- Increased focus on the endogenous steroid markers measured in blood serum as part of the steroidal module of the ABP, and on the endocrine module of the ABP to better detect markers of human Growth Hormone (hGH) abuse
The strategy is based on an adaptive risk assessment approach that integrates various dynamic factors, such as rider performance trends, to ensure strategic testing throughout the event. Insights from the ABP, including the endocrine module, as well as information gathered by the ITA’s dedicated cycling team within its Intelligence & Investigations (I&I) department, inform these efforts.
Testing during the Tour de France will be targeted and may occur at any point during the three-week race, not just at stage finishes. Like every year, the yellow jersey wearer and each stage winner will be tested. In addition, all participating riders will undergo pre-race testing as part of their medical monitoring protocols. For the 2025 edition, the Paris-based WADA-accredited laboratory will serve as the primary facility for sample analysis.
Approximately 600 urine and blood samples will be collected during the Tour itself. The ITA is also placing a strong emphasis on the period leading up to the race by planning around 350 out-of-competition tests to secure a level playing field from the outset. Following the conclusion of the race, a targeted selection of samples will be retained for long-term storage and future re-analysis based on intelligence gathered throughout the season and during the event. The ITA will continue its monitoring efforts post-Tour using all collected data.
Throughout the race, sample collection will be executed primarily by the ITA’s own experienced personnel, including 13 expert doping control and blood collection officers. The ITA is also coordinating closely with the French National Anti-Doping Organisation (AFLD), whose sample collection staff will contribute to the testing operations. Additional cooperation with local, national, and international authorities will support operational execution and intelligence exchange.
The 2025 Tour de France also benefits from the sustained increase in resources allocated to clean sport efforts in men’s professional cycling. As part of a multi-year initiative culminating in 2024, the UCI, UCI WorldTeams, UCI ProTeams, WorldTour organisers, and riders committed to a 35% funding increase to the ITA for implementing the UCI anti-doping program. This enhanced budget continues to support critical areas such as I & I, scientific development, data analysis, testing, long-term sample storage, and re-analysis.
In 2024, the ITA strengthened its investigative capacity by doubling the human resources dedicated to cycling and, together with the UCI, developed a policy and operational framework to implement and apply for the first time enhanced investigative powers, a pivotal measure to support evidence gathering in anti-doping investigations. The ITA also doubled the overall number of samples retained in long-term storage by selecting 1,690 samples after careful assessment of various risk-factors, 76 of them from the 2024 Tour de France. 490 samples collected in 2015 were also re-analysed, with all of them returning negative.
“The Tour de France is not only one of the most iconic events in sport, but it is also a key moment for protecting the integrity of cycling. Our approach in 2025 reflects a continued commitment to intelligent, data-driven anti-doping strategies grounded in science, collaboration and continuous improvement. By combining targeted testing with advanced analytical tools such as the endocrine module, long-term sample storage and performance monitoring initiatives, we aim to ensure that this prestigious race is contested on a level playing field. We are proud to lead these efforts on behalf of the UCI and in close coordination with all our trusted partners,” said ITA Director General Benjamin Cohen.
As part of its broader anti-doping strategy, the ITA is also developing a new longitudinal performance monitoring tool based on power data from professional men road riders, designed to act as an additional source of intelligence to guide targeted testing and advanced laboratory analysis, prioritise investigative, or refine its long-term sample storage
Following consultation with the Funding Committee of the UCI anti-doping program, the ITA received approval in 2025 to develop this concept based on historical power data from male riders, aiming to create an additional tool in the fight against doping. In collaboration with the University of Kent (UK), the ITA has launched a one-year feasibility study to analyse this data and map how rider performance evolves over time. These insights will support the development of performance models across teams and rider profiles, taking into account various influencing factors. Several UCI WorldTeams and professional male riders have agreed to voluntarily participate in the feasibility study and share their data to support the project.
Findings from the first year will be used to develop a model of “normal” and “expected” career trajectory performance over time, allowing for the identification of “abnormal” or “unexpected” performances. This will help identify “abnormal” or “unexpected” patterns that may indicate possible performance enhancement. While the model is not intended to serve as direct evidence of an anti-doping rule violation, it will act as an important additional intelligence tool to support the ITA’s broader anti-doping strategy—such as guiding targeted testing, advanced laboratory analysis, investigative prioritisation, or long-term sample storage.
The results from this feasibility study phase will be presented to the Cycling Families, to determine whether to proceed with the Year 2 pilot project. This next phase would shift from the retrospective analysis of historical data to the implementation of power monitoring and other related metrics, using data collected during a cycling season. If successful, the initiative could be expanded to cover the entire men’s professional road cycling peloton.
The ITA remains fully committed and is confident that these key features will contribute to delivering a top-tier anti-doping program for the 2025 Tour de France, reinforcing its mission to protect the integrity of the race and promote a level playing field for all riders involved.
