Bahrain Victorious rider Spain's Peio Bilbao. Photo / AP
The Bahrain Victorious team competing at the Tour de France was raided by French police on the eve of Thursday's stage as part of a doping investigation, according to judicial and police officials.
The team confirmed in a statement that riders' rooms were searched by officers at the hotel it
stayed in in the southwestern city of Pau.
In a statement to The Associated Press, the Marseille prosecutor in charge of the case said a preliminary investigation targeting members of the team was opened on July 3 "for acquisition, transport, possession, import of a substance or method prohibited for use by an athlete without medical justification".
Judicial officials in Pau confirmed "judiciary actions" took place at the team hotel, without further details.
About 25 officers from a special public health unit (OCLAESP) in charge of the case were involved in the search, according to police.
