Bahrain Victorious has confirmed some of its staff members and some of its riders have had their homes searched, as part of an anti doping investigation, before they departed for the Tour de France.
The searches form part of the same investigation that resulted in Bahrain Victorious being searched during last year’s Tour. Back then, the French police carried out searches, with training files and other items taken for analysis, in Pau before stage 18.
Three months later a French research report was published in the Wiley Analytical Science Journal which outlined the results of tests carried out on samples collected at the Tour. While Bahrain Victorious was not mentioned, it was clear it was the team being referenced.
The report stated a powerful muscle relaxant drug used in the treatment of cerebral palsy, among other conditions, had been found in hair samples taken from a small number of riders. The collection of hair samples for testing was requested by the public health division of France’s national police “based on suspicion as numerous boxes of Tizanidine were found in the room” used by a medical doctor working within cycling, the report said at the time, though the drug is not banned.
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Bahrain Victorious has issued a defiant statement today following the latest searches, saying after almost a year of investigating nothing had been found. It criticised the release of information in the research report last year, especially as it had tried to get information from the French investigators on the status of the inquiry and had been unable to.
“Some riders and staff of Team Bahrain Victorious had Police search their homes today before their departure to the Tour de France,” the team confirmed it its statement on Monday after news of the latest searches emerged in the media.
“Team Bahrain Victorious always works based on the highest standards of professionalism in sports, including the integrity of all professional members and competitors. The team cooperates constructively in all procedures and with all competent institutions.
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"The investigation into the members of the team, which started almost a year ago and did not yield any results, continues just before the start of the most important cycling race, the Tour de France, and damages the reputation of individuals and Team Bahrain Victorious. Due to recent investigations, the team feels the timing of this investigation is aimed at intentionally damaging the team’s reputation.
“The house searches experienced today by members from Team Bahrain Victorious represent a continuation of the investigation process that began during the team’s successful performances at last year’s Tour de France. Bahrain Victorious were the only team in the Tour de France under investigation during the race last year.
"At no time, and so far, have the team been informed of the progress, results or received any feedback about the investigation from the Marseilles Prosecutor’s Office. Bahrain Victorious has repeatedly requested access to the file or acquaintance with the state of investigation but without success.
“Moreover, shortly after the investigation was carried out, the investigators illegally provided information regarding the seized items, on the basis of which an article was published in a professional medical journal. The journal stated that the team did not possess illicit substances.
"Still, this behaviour of the investigators casts doubt on the investigation’s credibility, given that information about the investigation by the French authorities comes to the media. In contrast, the team does not receive any feedback.
“After almost a year of unsuccessful efforts by the team to obtain additional information, the investigators decided on new investigations just days before the start of the most important cycling race, which undoubtedly casts a shadow of doubt on the purpose of the investigation.
"The team have always cooperated completely transparently with all competent institutions and will continue to do so in the future, with the hope of greater transparency and a sense of the independence of investigators, as well as equal treatment of all teams.”
