This is the UCI rule covering the testing times. The rule is very clear that testing can be done at ANY time and the night time exception is just a courtesy. So considering how many teams have been tested, this is either a common agreement for the TdF, or the UCI is just disregarding that comment.
![The UCI may require any Rider over whom it has Testing authority, who has not retired,
including Riders serving a period of Ineligibility, to provide a Sample at any time and at
any place.
[Comment to Article 5.2.2: The UCI may obtain additional authority to conduct Testing by means of
bilateral or multilateral agreements with other Signatories. Unless the Rider has identified a sixty (60)
minute Testing window between the hours of 11:00 p.m. and 6:00 a.m., or has otherwise consented to
Testing during that period, the UCI will not test a Rider during that period unless it has a serious and specific
suspicion that the Rider may be engaged in doping. A challenge to whether the UCI had sufficient suspicion
for Testing during this time period shall not be a defense to an anti-doping rule violation based on such
test or attempted test.]](https://cdn.bsky.app/img/feed_thumbnail/plain/did:plc:oxwff5s2hepdn5fhn7xarmsv/bafkreid3fsraoo6537exec7urbzz2kiox4qzhd4aeir22rsvf3yu6t2h4e)
More, important context. There are French laws playing into this as well. There is a thread including links to the relevant laws underneath this post too 👇
Goldblue 💗🐝💗@goldbluebirdie.bsky.social · 2w agoOk, found the french law. Testing can be conducted between 11pm and 5am, but only with suspicion - but then they do not need a judge's order. So I assume the judge's order is to allow them to do it without concrete suspicion.
My take on the nighttime doping tests: good! With potential short half-lives, theoretically if you’re doping in-competition then you just take it during the hours you can’t be tested. It ain’t perfect, but I for one think antidoping is more important than riders’ feelings
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Træen dnf in yellow makes the tour have an asterix as we’ll never know if anyone could have gone past him
Do y’all think it’s fine to remove double-sided tape from glass with a first aid kit isopropyl alcohol wipe My googling says yes but my coworkers aren’t in yet and I need to crowdsource with other adults to feel okay before 😂
After having read multiple out of context quotes or flat out misquotes of riders already, I implore everyone: Especially when it comes to drama or forming opinions on riders' personalities: Do not judge riders on what they reportedly said unless you've seen it on video. Don't trust write-ups.
Vingegaard in Yellow, Bernal in Green, Pog in Polka-Dots It's the first time ever that three former Tour winners have worn each of the three main jerseys at the Tour
I’ve been kinda Overwhelmed™️ lately thus ghosted here but I have to return now because WILCO FUCKING KELDERGOAT WON A RACE?!?!?!?!?!
I'm streaming The Mighty Ducks for my bday, dm me for the Caracal link if you want to join (pls) :-)
I’ve been avoiding bluesky for a bit since I didn’t want spoilers for the Giro yet also haven’t had time/motivation to watch the Giro lmao But it’s my birthday so I’m back briefly for the validation 😎🥳
Caleb Ewan was silent on comms at the end. After the ad break he revealed he was shaking for Michael Valgren to win as Matthew Keenan called the finish. Michael and Sissel Hundahl are Godparents to his daughter.
📊 Number of Danish stage wins in #Giro2025 + #Giro2026 (so far): 🔟! 👉 TOTAL number of Danish stage wins in #GirodItalia history, BEFORE 2025 (since Ole Ritter won in 1967): 14. And Vingegaard is not done.
the Inner Ring blog@inrng.com · 2mo agoTop-10 on Stage 17 of the Giro d'Italia
Valgren was brandishing a Pokémon disc for his son, he'd been carrying it as a lucky charm
That was such a fun stage. Happy for Valgren, how sweet. And wow it’s his first GT stage win, I would’ve guessed he got one in his first stint
NO SPOILERS PLEASE I had plans during the Giro stage and want to watch it back now, but Goldblue hasn’t responded to my DM yet and I’m impatient, so asking y’all, how many KM to go should I start watching the stage at?
1. Alec Segaert 2. Toon Aerts in stage 12 of #Giro2026, in Novi Ligure 👉 Last time before today 2 Belgians finished 🥇 & 🥈 in a Giro d'Italia stage (men)? Stage 6, Giro 1978 (48 years ago!) 1. Rik Van Linden 2. Roger De Vlaeminck 3. Alfons De Bal
There seems to be this perception that doing anything out of the ordinary in cycling is worth it only if it guarantees you the win. Like people criticizing Decathlon for sunday‘s stage. That’s ridiculous. It’s worth it if it raises your chances. Even if it’s just from 1% to 15%.