Colombian cyclist Nairo Quintana objected to the suspicion of doping, which was discussed after police searched the hotel of his Arkéa-Samsic team on the Tour de France. He emphasized in a statement that no doping agents had been found in the raids and said he had nothing to hide.
The intervention at the team hotel in Méribel took place on Wednesday 16 September after the royal stage of the Tour. “They came to my room and confiscated the vitamin preparations, which are completely legal, but the French authorities may not know them. That’s why it also takes so long for everything to be clarified,” stable captain Arkéa-Samsic said in a Twitter statement.
On Monday, authorities confirmed that they had confiscated certain preparations and injections at the hotel. Two members of the stable from the vicinity of one rider were pre-arrested, allegedly a doctor and a physiotherapist.
Both were released today. According to the press, the second of the Quintan brothers, Dayer, who is also a member of the team, is especially suspected. Both siblings have already resigned from the police.
“I have nothing to hide and I never have. I have been clean my whole sporting life,” said Nairo Quintana, who is scheduled to start the World Championships in Imola this weekend.