Cofidis physio and ex-riders held
PARIS, France -- Cycling is braced for another doping scandal after French police arrested two former riders and the physio of a leading team Cofidis.
The 2001 world track champion Robert Sassone and Poland's Marek Rutkiewicz were detained as police investigate an alleged EPO and steroids ring.
Bogdan Madejak, the Polish physio suspected of supplying tour riders with banned substances, was arrested when he returned to France from Spain.
Madejak's wife and daughter were also detained but later released.
A stock of amphetamines and the endurance-enhancer EPO were found Sassone's home in Hyeres, in the South of France when he was arrested.
"There were a few pills, ampoules of testosterone, a little EPO but nothing of huge consequence and not in great quantities," she said. "That is compatible with personal use and not with large-scale trafficking," said police spokeswoman Catherine Briguet.
Rutkiewicz, who also left Cofidis at the end of the year, was arrested at Charles de Gaulle airport on Monday when he returned from Warsaw.
Drugs officers acted after listening to Rutkiewicz's mobile phone calls from Poland.
"We're investigating a network dealing in EPO and steroids," a police source said.
Medical files were seized during a police raid on Monday at the team's headquarters.
Dr Jean-Jacques Menuet, the Cofidis team doctor, who also looks after the French athletics sprint team which includes European 200m champion Muriel Hurtis and former European 100m champion Christine Arron, has also been interviewed by the police.
Cofidis has a high-profile line-up which includes world time trial champion David Millar of Britain, France's reigning world track champion Laurent Gane and new signing Igor Astarloa of Spain, the world road race champion.
Police said these cyclists were not suspected.
Cofidis also issued a statement denying any involvement in doping.
"We haven't done anything wrong," said team manager Alain Bondue.
