Police confiscate team Astana's suspect luggage

PAU, France: French police officers departed the team hotel of the disgraced Astana team here late on Tuesday carrying a number of bags and cases, but refused to make any comment.

Over a dozen police officers had arrived at the hotel following the news of Alexandre Vinokourov's positive test for blood doping which saw his team booted out of the race.

Astana, its bus and several team vehicles were still at the hotel while some of the riders and team staff were present.

Police had initially arrived carrying a number of sports bags. It is unsure what was in the bags, although several of Astana riders had left the hotel some time earlier.

It later emerged that French customs had stopped and searched a car from the Astana cycling team at a tollgate near Toulouse.

Toulouse general prosecutor Paul Michel told AFP that a team car had been stopped just before 2100 GMT and was being searched.

"This search could have something to do with doping," he told media.

"Several people belonging to the team were in the vehicle.

"They have been questioned by the customs officials. After that the police could also want to talk to them."

Police at Astana's team hotel, where rider German Andreas Kloden was still staying, were earlier seen removing unidentified items from the bus in black bags.

An AFP photographer at the scene said he then witnessed police searching black rubbish bags, which had been handed to them by staff at the hotel.

Vinokourov, the winner of two stages on the race but who tested positive following his win in Saturday's 13th stage, reportedly left the hotel from the back door at 1630 local time (1430 GMT).

AFP

(China Daily 07/26/2007 page24)