The French police have carried out searches targeting the Bahrain Victorious team on the Tour de France. Training files and other items were taken by the police.
The team said in a statement: "On the eve of Stage 18 of Tour de France, Team Bahrain Victorious were subject to an investigation by French Police. The team were monitored by a number of officers following their arrival after stage 17 to the team hotel in Pau.
"The investigation involved a search of riders’ rooms as part of the process. Despite being unaware of the investigation reasons, the team was also requested to provide all training files which were compiled and presented to the officers as requested."
The team’s technical director Vladimir Miholjević added: “Following stage 17, we were greeted by several French police officers. We were not given a warrant to read through, but the team complied with all the officers’ requests.
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“We are committed to highest level of professionalism and adherence to all regulatory requirements and will always be cooperating in a professional manner. The process has impacted our riders’ recovery and meal planning and as a professional team, the well-being of our team is a key priority.”
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No arrests were made and nobody was detained in any way, even informally, to be questioned. The team also plans to continue in the Tour on stage 18 today.
L’Equipe has reported
the searches were carried out by the environmental and public health police
force - OCLAESP.
The search team arrived at the team hotel in Pau on Wednesday night to carry the out the operation and some reports suggest the operation continued until about 2am on Thursday. While Movistar was staying at the same hotel, the Spanish team was not involved in the operation.
The Bahrain Victorious team vehicles on the Tour and the team's accommodation were searched, according to Reuters.
The team has enjoyed a very successful season this year and that run of results has given rise to questioning news reports in the French media. Those media reports followed the Giro 2rd place overall of Damiano Caruso, and his stage win. There was also a double stage win in the mountains at Critérium du Dauphiné for Mark Padun.
On the Tour de France the team has been riding very well, despite losing its team leader Jack Haig. Matej Mohorič and Dylan Teuns have both won stages, though the team's best rider overall, Pello Bilbao, is back in 10th.
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