UCI defends night-time anti-doping tests at Tour de France

VOIRON, France, July 22 : The governing body of world cycling (UCI) on Wednesday defended night-time anti-doping tests at the Tour de France after controls involving race leader Tadej Pogacar and rival Jonas Vingegaard drew criticism, saying the fight against doping remained an "absolute priority".Pogacar of UAE Team Emirates-XRG and Vingegaard of Visma-Lease a Bike, who has since withdrawn from the race, underwent unannounced anti-doping tests in the early hours of Sunday, at around 5 a.m. and 2 a.m. respectively.The UCI said such checks were "exceptional" and carried out only in "limited and justified circumstances", while stressing the importance of maintaining the integrity of the sport through rigorous anti-doping measures.Slovenian rider Matej Mohoric said on Tuesday that he too had