Cofidis suspends Tour de France rider Remy Di Gregorio after doping arrest

GlobalPost

Tour de France team Cofidis has suspended Frenchman Remy Di Gregorio after he was arrested in a dramatic raid on his team’s hotel in Bourg-en-Bresse, in the country's east, on suspicion of doping. 

A team statement, cited by Agence France-Presse, said after the arrest: "We have just learned that one of our riders, competing at the Tour de France, may have attempted to resort to doping substances to improve his performance.

"At the current time, we have very little information about the facts of the case.

"However the suspicion on the rider concerned, Remy Di Gregorio, leaves us with no choice but to hand down the strictest possible sanctions. He is therefore immediately suspended, provisionally, while we await more ample information on the case. If the suspicions are confirmed, he will be sacked on the spot — in accordance with the stipulations in his contract and in line with the ethical policy of the team." 

Cofidis called it an "isolated case" that should not affect the rest of the team.

More from GlobalPost: Lance Armstrong doping allegations snare docs, trainer

Two other people — including one "practicing naturopathy" — were detained in Di Gregorio's hometown of Marseille in connection with the investigation, CNN reported, citing a national police official.

One of those arrested was also found with products of which the exact nature is still being determined, the statement said.

Di Gregorio, 26, once considered one of the most promising young French riders, according to the Associated Press, was in 35th place after Monday's ninth stage.

He turned pro in 2005 with French team Francaise des Jeux and won a stage of the 2011 Paris-Nice race with the Kazahk team.

More from GlobalPost: Rich People have a dirty little secret...

Sign up for our daily newsletter

Sign up for The Top of the World, delivered to your inbox every weekday morning.