What does a Tour de France rider do if they need to poo?

In short, professional road cyclists don’t poo during a Tour de France stage – or they try to avoid it at all costs.

It would be impossible for race organisers to provide, or schedule, facilities along the length of each stage.

The fearsome pace of the peloton, combined with the practical challenges of stopping mid-race, also makes doing a number two about as unappealing as it is impractical.

Riders caught short would have to drop back off the back of the peloton, stop, strip off a skinsuit, find somewhere socially acceptable to do their business away from watchful eyes, and then somehow get going again – all while the race disappears up the road.

As a result, riders are meticulous about managing their pre-race toilet timing to avoid any mid-race emergencies.

Things are easier for a number one, where male riders can drop off the back of the bunch and do a ‘pro piss’ – in other words, wee out the side of their shorts while riding.

• Read more: How do pro cyclists pee during a stage of the Tour de France?

Sometimes, the peloton will agree to stop together for some communal relief, but it depends on the race situation on the day.

Four-time Tour de France winner, Chris Froome, infamously left President François Hollande waiting on the podium and upset anti-doping control after a 2013 stage that was so fast there was no time for riders to stop for a pee.

However, Froome having to hold in a pee is small change compared to the public shame of gastric turbulence suffered by some – here are three memorable moments from across the cycling universe that these riders would probably rather forget.

Matteo Jorgenson

Matteo Jorgenson was forced to make an unscheduled stop in the woods at the famously filthy 2021 edition of Paris-Roubaix.

The wet conditions washed animal faeces onto the unpaved farm tracks riders race on.

Speaking on Harry Sweeny’s YouTube channel, Jorgenson recounted that, having drunk from a contaminated bidon, on entering a rough cobbled sector, he was at high risk of “shitting my shorts if I don’t stop”.

Jorgenson was forced to discard his bike at the side of the road, finding a small section of the woods to do his business. Unfortunately for him, fans caught Jorgenson in his vulnerable moment – although he later owned it, posting the unflattering picture to Instagram for the world to see.

Tom Dumoulin

Tom Dumoulin is one of the most accomplished riders of his generation, but his 2017 Giro d’Italia win is forever tied to one of cycling’s most infamous incidents.

On Stage 16, the Dutchman was forced into an urgent roadside stop as the race rolled on without him. TV cameras lingered just long enough for viewers to realise exactly what was happening.

Despite losing time that day, Dumoulin recovered to win the Giro overall – making it arguably the most high-profile toilet break in cycling history.

Mathieu van der Poel

Mathieu van der Poel credited his 2023 UCI Road World Championships, in part, due to an unplanned bio break.

During the 271km race, a protest halted proceedings for nearly an hour. While most riders stayed roadside, Van der Poel seized the opportunity to deal with a more pressing issue, knocking on the door of a nearby house and asking to use the toilet.

“I have to do a big massive message,” he later told press. “I had to knock on the door of a couple’s house along the course. I really owe them… I couldn’t have carried on racing without their help.”

The homeowners ended up hosting multiple riders, but only one would go on to win the rainbow jersey.