The French cycling federation (FFC) has confirmed that a case of technological fraud (motorised doping) has been discovered in an amateur race at Saint Michel de Double in the Dordogne region, south west France. The investigation involved cooperation between the interregional correspondent for the control of doping (CIRAD) for the region concerned, the prosecutor for Périgueux, Jean-François Mailhes and local police.

‘Thanks for the investigative powers of the judicial authorities, the operation was a success, which the FFC can only welcome’, wrote Michel Callot, President of the FCC, in a statement. ‘Unfortunately, the result of this operation only confirms what one might fear about the possible use of this type of fraud in the amateur environment, which is an insult to our sport and its loyal competitors’.