Cycling: two people arrested for doping

Two people were arrested as part of the investigation of suspected doping in Arkea-Samsic, the Nairo Quintana‘s team (the Colombian closed the Tour de France in 17th position).

The investigation, explained Dominique Laurens attorney of Marseille, has as its object “a small part of the riders” of the team, after “many health products, including drugs, were discovered in their personal belongings, but also and above all a method that can be qualified as doping. The magistrate did not want to specify the identity of the people under investigation.

According to the French newspaper Le Parisien, it would be a doctor and a physiotherapist. Due to the absence of the doctor, for health reasons, the team Arkea-Samsic decided to hire a Colombian professional for the Tour de France, but it is not known if he is among the suspects.

The investigation tends to ascertain whether there was “administration to an athlete, without medical justification, of a substance or procedure prohibited in the framework of a sporting event, or help in the use and instigation for the use of a substance or procedure prohibited to athletes, and again the transport and possession of a substance or method prohibited for use by an athlete without medical justification”. The maximum penalty foreseen in France for this type of crime is five years imprisonment.

The Journal du Dimanche had previously revealed that the Central Office for anti-doping agency had carried out a search last Wednesday at the hotel where the Arkea-Samsic team members was staying in Méribel.