Paris (AFP)

The Arkea-Samsic team expressed its satisfaction on Wednesday that its two riders heard as free witnesses in the investigation into suspicions of doping during the Tour de France can continue to exercise their profession "without any restriction".

The training led by Emmanuel Hubert did not specify the names of the two riders concerned.

But its leader, the Colombian Nairo Quintana, explained Tuesday evening to have responded "voluntarily" the day before, at the request of French investigators.

"Emmanuel Hubert and the Arkéa-Samsic team were informed that two of their runners had been heard by the police as free witnesses and that at the end of this hearing they had been able to return to their home, being free to be able to exercise their profession of professional cyclists and without any restriction ", declared the Breton formation.

His general manager said he was "satisfied with this reassuring new information".

"Not having access to the documents in the file included in the procedure and the investigations carried out, Emmanuel Hubert and his team remain attentive and vigilant as to the sequence of events," added the French team, stressing that, member of the Movement for credible cycling (MPCC), it has always taken a stand for twenty years "in favor of the fight against doping".

- Quintana's plea -

On Tuesday evening, Quintana, which placed 17th Sunday in the Tour de France, claimed that in his entire career he "never used illegal substances" which improve athletic performance and betray the principles of the sport.

The Colombian, former winner of the Giro and the Vuelta, confirmed a search made on September 16, in Méribel (Savoie), on the occasion of the 17th stage of the Tour de France.

“That day, the authorities entered my room and seized perfectly legal vitamin supplements, although they may not have been known to the French authorities. This is the main reason why it took time to clear up all that. happened. For the avoidance of doubt, I would like to confirm that no doping substance has ever been found, "said Quintana.

"Neither in the recent Tour, nor in previous races, have I ever consulted any assistants or staff who were not part of the team," added the Colombian.

A preliminary investigation was opened by the public health pole of the Marseille prosecutor's office.

The custody of two members of the team, a doctor and a physiotherapist, were lifted late Tuesday evening.

According to the prosecutor of the Republic of Marseille, Dominique Laurens, several riders of the team were "heard in hearing free of suspect".

These riders are suspected of having detained "without medical justification" a "prohibited substance or method" which may have served as doping within the framework of the Tour de France.

The investigation "is still ongoing", insisted Wednesday morning Ms. Laurens in a statement, specifying that "investigations and hearings (should) be carried out before reaching a decision of the public prosecutor on the basis of the elements collected" .

© 2020 AFP