Cycling, Tour: Arkea doping investigation, two arrested

Two people were arrested as part of the investigation on suspicion of doping in Arkea-Samsic, Nairo Quintana’s team (the Colombian finished the Tour in 17th position). The investigation, explained Dominique Laurens, Marseille prosecutor, concerns “a small part of the corridors” of the team, after “many medical devices, including medicines, were discovered in their personal effects, but also and above all a method that can be classified as doping. ” The magistrate did not want to specify the identity of the people heard. According to Le Parisien, he would be a doctor and a physiotherapist. Due to the absence of the titular doctor, for health reasons, the team had turned to a Colombian professional for the Tour, but it is not known if he is among the suspects. The investigation aims to determine whether there has been “administration to an athlete, without medical justification, of a prohibited substance or method in the context of a sporting event, or aid in the use and incitement to the use of a prohibited substance or method to athletes, as well as the transportation and possession of a prohibited substance or method for an athlete without medical justification “. The maximum penalty in France for this type of crime is five years in prison.

The search

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Previously, the Journal du Dimanche revealed that the Central Office for the Fight against Environmental Violations and Public Health had conducted a search last Wednesday at the Arkea-Samsic hotel in Les Allues, near Méribel.