The World Anti-Doping Agency is to monitor doping controls at cycling's showpiece the Tour de France next month.
The International Cycling Union has signed an agreement with WADA for the monitoring of the tour which has been dogged by doping controversies in recent years.
WADA officials will be able to observe all phases of the UCI's anti-doping controls, from the selection of riders to be tested to the handling of urine results.
They also have access to all related documents and will write a report after the
Tour, which runs from July 3-25.
The UCI requested the observers in October, hoping to increase the transparency of its anti-doping efforts.
