“They don’t do this to Messi”: Armstrong’s stinging rebuke to the UCI over night-time tests on Pogacar and Vingegaard
CyclingMonday, 20 July 2026 at 11:27
The Tour de France lived one of the most consequential moments of this edition with the confirmation of Jonas Vingegaard’s withdrawal. The Team Visma | Lease a Bike leader stepped off after injuries from a heavy crash, a decision that dominated the latest episode of The Move podcast, where Lance Armstrong, George Hincapie, Bradley Wiggins, and Spencer Martin dissected how the race now changes completely.
While all lamented the loss of one of the Tour’s marquee protagonists, the debate quickly turned to the sporting impact of his absence. For the four analysts, the Dane’s exit leaves Tadej Pogacar in an even more dominant position and forces every team to reset objectives for the rest of the race. On the pre-dawn anti-doping controls for both riders, the comparison with other sports was blunt, with football cited as an example: “They don’t do this to Messi.”
“It’s very sad news for cycling,” the American said of Vingegaard’s farewell. “We all want to see the best face each other, and losing Jonas is never good for the race.”
The Texan recalled that in recent years the Pogacar–Vingegaard duel has defined an era at the Tour de France, and he feels no other rider has pushed the Grand Tours’ level so high.
“When you have the two best in the world going head-to-head, the show always improves,” he explained. “Without Jonas we lose a very important part of that rivalry.”
Bradley Wiggins agreed and highlighted the enormous sacrifice the Dane made to return competitive after physical problems earlier in the season.
“He’s been through so much to get back here,” the Briton noted. “That’s why it’s even tougher to see him abandon like this.”
George Hincapie also underlined the Visma rider’s mental strength, saying few cyclists can regain top level after injuries of such severity.
“He always finds a way to come back,” he said. “That shows the kind of champion he is.”
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Beyond the emotional toll, Armstrong believes Vingegaard’s withdrawal completely reshapes how the race will unfold.
“Now the Tour changes completely,” he stated.
The American argued that Pogacar loses the only rival who could truly challenge him in the high mountains, and from here UAE Team Emirates-XRG’s management becomes far simpler.
“You no longer need to respond constantly to Jonas’s attacks,” he said. “That changes the way you race.”
Spencer Martin echoed the view and believes the remaining contenders must radically rethink their approach.
“Every team has new objectives,” he explained. “Many will stop thinking about winning the Tour and start focusing on the podium or stage wins.”
According to the American analyst, the removal of Pogacar’s great rival opens the door to a far more offensive race among the riders sitting behind in the general classification.
Isaac del Toro alongside Tadej Pogacar
Isaac del Toro grows even more in importance
One name kept coming up in the conversation: Isaac del Toro.
Armstrong believes the Mexican now takes on an even more prominent role at UAE Team Emirates-XRG, given the team’s increased tactical freedom.
“Isaac is an incredible card for this team,” he said.
The American recalled that Del Toro has shown throughout the race he can stay with the best climbers in the peloton, and without Vingegaard’s constant pressure he should have even more chances to step into the spotlight.
Bradley Wiggins went further in assessing the young Mexican’s development.
“Each day he looks like a more complete rider,” he noted.
For the 2012 Tour winner, the standout is not just Del Toro’s physical gifts but the intelligence with which he reads every race situation.
“He doesn’t race like someone his age,” he explained. “He always makes good decisions and understands exactly what his role is within the team.”
George Hincapie added that this maturity makes the Mexican one of the sport’s major names of the future.
“He doesn’t look like he’s discovering the Tour,” he said. “It feels like he’s been competing here for years.”
Who can trouble Pogacar now?
With Vingegaard out, the debate quickly turned to who could emerge as the new rival for the UAE leader.
Spencer Martin believes the Tour has entered a completely different phase because no rider appears to have the tools to challenge the Slovenian head‑to‑head.
“I don’t see anyone who can take him on man to man,” he said.
Armstrong shared that view and noted that Pogacar had already been showing clear superiority even before the Dane’s withdrawal.
“He was the favorite before this news,” he explained. “Now he’s even more so.”
However, the American also urged caution.
“The Tour is never won until you reach Paris.”
Armstrong stressed that Grand Tours can be flipped by a crash, a mechanical, or an off day, so it’s a mistake to think the race is definitively over.
Tadej Pogacar continues to lead the Tour de France
A chance for the rest of the podium
Bradley Wiggins believes the main beneficiaries are the riders fighting for the places of honor.
“Now many will start to believe they can step onto the podium,” he said.
The Briton explained that, while Vingegaard remained in the race, almost all the spots looked reserved for the two big favorites.
With one of them out of the Tour, the battle for second and third takes on a completely different dimension.
George Hincapie agreed and said many teams will tweak their strategies over the coming days.
“We’ll see a much more aggressive race,” he predicted. “Many riders will stop defending and try to seize the opening.”
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Another angle discussed was the responsibility now resting on UAE Team Emirates-XRG.
Although Pogacar appears to have the general classification under control, Armstrong reminded that wearing yellow for so many days also exacts a heavy collective toll.
“Now everyone will expect them to control the race,” he said.
The American believes the Emirati squad must balance defending the lead with avoiding excessive fatigue before the decisive stages.
In that context, he again underlined the value of having riders like Isaac del Toro.
“Having a rider like him lets you race in many different ways,” he noted.
Juan LarraCycling Journalist
Juan Larra is a writer for Cyclinguptodate and editor-in-chief of Ciclismoaldia, where he has played a central role since its inception. Under his leadership, the website has become a trusted source for professional cycling coverage, offering in-depth analysis, news, and feature stories.
A sports journalist with over 20 years of experience, Juan earned his degree in Journalism from the University of Seville in 2007. He began his career covering a wide range of sports—including football, basketball, Formula 1, MotoGP, tennis, and cycling—for platforms such as the official La Liga app, Vodafone and Movistar websites, NBA Blogdebasket, and Cadena Cope, honing his skills in writing and editorial management.
In addition to his work at Ciclismoaldia, Juan contributes to Cyclinguptodate and serves as editor-in-chief for the tennis-focused site Tenisaldia. Throughout his career, he has conducted exclusive interviews with cyclists and sports figures, provided detailed analysis of competitions ranging from local Spanish races to major international events, and acted as a special correspondent at prestigious races including Paris-Roubaix, the Tour de France, and the Vuelta a España.
Juan’s combination of experience, expertise, and direct access to athletes has established him—and the platforms he leads—as authoritative voices in professional cycling.
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- We'll never know, but what evidence?... an anonymous phone tip from some rabid Seixas fan? Certainly not a team car full of dope and paraphernalia or a bunch of used syringes in a trash bag at the race finish.mrvco21-07-2026
- True. If you going to test for doping though, between two tough mountain stages is the right time to test beacuse that is when they might need it most.
Andrew21-07-2026 - cycling has been dirty forever, really not sure why no one is giving the testers the benefit of the doubtwhkman21-07-2026
- None of us really know what goes on behind closed doors but it is very suspicious to wake these riders up the day before a big mountain stage while they are still recovering from the mountain stage the day before. I have to go to bed, it's almost 2am lolawp21-07-2026
- And you’re free to believe that as I am free not to believe it regardless of who my neighbours or work colleagues support.Andrew21-07-2026
- And you know that how? Did Pog call you, message you?Andrew21-07-2026
- being reported that as many as 8 teams were tested at late hours and from Benjamin Cohen, head of ITA in April: “I don’t think you would want to do mass testing at the Tour de France, for example, and wake up all the athletes at 3am — that doesn’t make sense. I think you would need to have very concrete suspicions (about an athlete) and use that in a very cautious manner. “I wouldn’t advocate for mass night testing, but certainly for some flexibility if you believe that there is an issue.” so really doesn't seem like he's crazy about testing and thinks they should need evidence for late night testing. and here we are, they went to a judge and got the ok so I think they have credible evidencewhkman21-07-2026
- "a bit much" is an understatement.whkman21-07-2026
- UAE will suffocate Remco in the big mountains !frieders321-07-2026
- the ita obviously only had evidence on the riders that were tested and took it to the judge and the judge ok'd the 2am and 5am tests. maybe seixas is doped up who knows? but they didn't have any evidence on him to bring to a judge. anyone who thinks the French are biased has forgotten Festina.whkman21-07-2026
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