Tour de France director Christian Prudhomme is convinced that doping in cycling is under control. In recent years, other sports - athletics in particular - have been in the doping spotlight and cycling is no longer the principal sport to provide news on the use of illegal substances.

"Cycling has been cleaning up its act. It was not easy but it has been cleaning up its act. We knew all the cheats and the liars on this earth did not gather up one day to decide they would be taking up cycling," Prudhomme told Reuters. "I'm happy to see that the climate is much less passionate than it used to be.

"You don't see champions who come from nowhere anymore. The likes of Nairo Quintana and Esteban Chaves have a pedigree, they shone on the Tour de l'Avenir. It's reassuring. A few years ago we had the feeling a change was needed. That's not the case any more."

He is also focused on the fight against mechanic doping. "Eight days before the Tour I was scared that these rumours would mar the race. Then when the secretary of state announced the use of these cameras, I was relieved," Prudhomme concluded. 

In the latest edition, there were 3773 tests with thermal cameras and nothing was discovered.