Jasper Philipsen secured his first Tour de France stage victory in Stage 17, capping a strong team effort, while Tadej Pogačar maintained his overall lead. The stage, favorable for sprinters, saw Philipsen overcome earlier personal disappointment, as the race heads towards the Alps.
Night-time anti-doping tests on Tour de France leaders Tadej Pogacar and Jonas Vingegaard sparked debate. While some, like Jonathan Vaughters, support these "effective" measures against micro-dosing, the cyclists' union CPA argues they are dangerous and disrupt rider rest. The UCI defends the "exceptional" tests as an "absolute priority" in fighting doping.
France's government announces a wide-ranging drug testing campaign for top state officials, including ministers and cabinet members. The leak of a directive has caused embarrassment and controversy, as the initiative was intended to be part of a broader anti-drug trafficking plan.
Une campagne de dépistage de stupéfiants pour les hauts fonctionnaires français a provoqué confusion et embarras, les tests étant initialement prévus pour les collaborateurs de cabinet et non pour les ministres eux-mêmes. La fuite d'une circulaire a devancé l'annonce officielle.
