Sport - Tour de France doping

Prosecutors investigate new Tour de France doping claim

Article published on the 2009-10-13 Latest update 2009-10-13 15:01 TU

The Tour de France faces a new doping investigation
(Photos: Reuters/Albert Gea)

Prosecutors in Paris are launching a new investigation into doping in cycling. The investigation follows the discovery of suspicious medical equipment including "syringes and drips" during the Tour de France in July.

No individuals or teams have been officially named in the investigation, but the French dailies Le Monde and L’Equipe both claim that among those under scrutiny are the Kazakh team Astana, whose riders include 2009 Tour winner Alberto Contador, and American seven-time champion Lance Armstrong, who came third.

L'Equipe reports that syringes used by Contador were sent to the Toxlab forensics laboratory for analysis.

Astana were barred from taking part in the 2008 Tour de France because of doping irregularities.

The inquiry will be carried out by police investigators from the Centre for the Prevention of Damage to the Environment and Public Health.

The announcement comes a day before race organisers in Paris announce the course for the 2010 Tour de France.