The Tour de France stage 16 time trial delivered another thrilling victory for Remco Evenepoel, who beat Tadej Pogacar by 28 seconds and narrowed the overall gap to just over four and a half minutes. The Belgian champion, celebrating his country's national day, called it 'amazing to be in this good shape.' However, the race is now overshadowed by a deepening controversy over late-night doping tests.
Stage 16 Time Trial Results
Evenepoel clocked the fastest time on the 25 km course from Evian to Thonon-les-Bains, securing his third career Tour time trial win. Pogacar held second, while Isaac del Toro (UAE Emirates XRG) remained third overall but faces pressure from Paul Seixas, who is now just 20 seconds behind after a strong ride.
Get the #1 Wireless Door Camera
REOLINK Bestseller: 2K Weatherproof Video Doorbell, No Monthly Fees.
| Rider | Stage Time | Gap to Winner |
|---|---|---|
| Remco Evenepoel (Red Bull-Bora-Hansgrohe) | 32:15 | — |
| Tadej Pogacar (UAE Emirates XRG) | 32:43 | +0:28 |
| Isaac del Toro (UAE Emirates XRG) | 33:02 | +0:47 |
| Paul Seixas (Decathlon AG2R La Mondiale) | 33:05 | +0:50 |
| Jonas Vingegaard (Visma-Lease a Bike) | DNS (crashed) | — |
Key Takeaways from the Stage
- Evenepoel's back-to-back win cuts Pogacar's overall lead to 4 minutes 32 seconds.
- Florian Lipowitz (Red Bull-Bora-Hansgrohe) crashed out with a broken collarbone, the second podium finisher to leave in 72 hours.
- Jonas Vingegaard abandoned on Sunday after a similar crash.
- The ITA conducted doping tests on Vingegaard at 2am and Pogacar at 5am, sparking widespread criticism.
Night-Time Doping Test Controversy Intensifies
The International Testing Agency (ITA) carried out out-of-hours tests on two of the race's biggest stars, authorized by the Paris prosecutor's office. Critics, including EF Education EasyPost manager Jonathan Vaughters, argue that French judges may be too willing to issue warrants given cycling's historical doping scandals. 'With a French judge it's not going to be hard to get that warrant,' Vaughters said. The tests were performed outside the usual 6am–11pm window, raising questions about athletes' rest and recovery.
Evenepoel downplayed the controversy, focusing on the racing ahead. 'There are still some hard stages to come,' he reminded reporters. The peloton now heads into the Alps, where mountains will likely decide the final overall winner.
FAQ
Why were Pogacar and Vingegaard tested at 2am and 5am?
The ITA obtained a judicial warrant from the Paris prosecutor's office to conduct unannounced tests outside the standard 6am–11pm window, citing intelligence or suspicion. Critics say the timing disrupts sleep and recovery, potentially affecting performance.
Did Evenepoel face any testing issues?
No. Evenepoel was not part of the late-night tests. He stated that he respects anti-doping efforts but emphasized the need for fair procedures that do not harm athletes' well-being.
How does this affect the overall Tour de France standings?
Pogacar still leads by 4:32 over Evenepoel, with del Toro third. However, the loss of Vingegaard and Lipowitz to crashes thins the competition, making the upcoming mountain stages even more critical.
The drama continues as the Tour de France enters its final week. With Evenepoel on a roll and Pogacar defending, every stage brings new twists—both on the road and off it.
Home Decor Shop
Acacia frida deluxe solid wood bed frame |
Bedroom bench |
Bed chest drawers |
Lingerie dresser |
Frame base |
Mirror with jewelry storage |
30 Bathroom Vanity |
Memory foam queen mattress |
Mattresses for back pain |
Nightstand set of 2 |
Grand Goldman Shop |
Civil Lawyer
Deutschland Trikot WM 2026
