The British newspaper, The Independent, has commented on the French authorities conducting a preliminary investigation into accusations that Bahrain Merida cycling team used doping after a search of their hotel and team bus during the International Cycling Tour de France on Wednesday evening.

The team issued a statement Thursday morning acknowledging the search of the hotel and the team's bus, and the police requested copies of the training files, writer Ian Parker said in his report, which was published in the British newspaper The Independent.

The Marseille Public Prosecutor's Office said the raid was part of an investigation launched on July 3 into the "acquisition, transfer, possession and importation of a prohibited substance or method for unjustified use by members of the Bahrain Merida Cycling Team, which is currently competing in the 2015 International Cycling Tour de France." 2021".

The statement added that "the preliminary investigation is continuing to determine the validity of the crimes that justify the opening of the investigation or not. The presence of this investigation and the operations carried out do not in any way predict the existence of criminal crimes. Any person suspected or prosecuted is considered innocent until proven guilty."

French authorities launch preliminary investigation into Bahrain Victorious team https://t.co/ep3uhBL6OL

— The Independent (@Independent) July 15, 2021

Previous accusations

The writer mentioned that last month, Milan Erzen, director of the Bahrain Merida Cycling Team, defended the team after publishing similar accusations in the French newspaper "Le Parisien" following the team's successes in the Tour of Italy and the Dauphine Cycling.

It is understood that several officers took part in the search of the hotel, which continued into the early hours of Thursday morning, although no arrests were made.

On the other hand, the technical director of the team, Vladimir Miholjevich, said in a statement, "After the 17th stage, we received several French police officers. We did not obtain a court order to see it. In return, the team complied with all the officers' requests."

“We are committed to the highest level of professionalism and all regulatory requirements and will always cooperate in a professional manner. The process affected our riders, especially in terms of recovery and meal planning. As a professional team, the wellbeing of our team is a major priority for us,” added Mihljevic.

Bahrain Merida Cycling Team - which has enjoyed a successful ride so far despite losing Jack Haig, their main general classification hope - led the race in the 18th stage of the competition on Thursday.

The team amassed back-to-back wins in Stages 7 and 8 thanks to Mage Mohoric and Dylan Tunes, while Water Boys top the King of the Mountains rankings.

Cyclist Sonny Colbrelli, who has finished in the top three twice during the mountain stages, is third in the points classification.

🥈@MilanJonathan_ 2nd in photo finish on stage 3 @SettiItaliana

Congrats anyway!

#RideAsOne #SettimanaCiclisticaItaliana pic.twitter.com/cnAN4Ml2iL

— Team Bahrain Victorious (@BHRVictorious) July 16, 2021

The writer pointed out that Belo Bilbao is the best among the cyclists in the team in general, as he ranked tenth, about 13 minutes away from Tadej Pogacar in the yellow jersey.

Briton Fred Wright, 22, is the youngest rider in this year's Tour.

But the question that is often repeated is why these investigations and raids are carried out for the Bahrain team to achieve some limited achievements, knowing that the first-place owners did not have any suspicions surrounding them, and why is the team chasing accusations from one race to another?

The answer will become clear from the results of the ongoing investigations into the team in France.