Case progressing after evidence found
Following his arrest earlier this week plus the news that several professional riders have been interviewed, former BigMat Auber93 team doctor Philippe Bedoucha has reportedly confessed to supplying doping products.
L’Equipe, which broke the original story, has stated that French police searched his home and found signs to back up the case, including incriminating emails. Once that took place, he is said to have admitted supplying EPO to several riders from this team during his last three years there.
French police interviewed approximately ten riders earlier this week; L’Equipe now states that this group comprised seven pros and three amateurs. There were suggestions then that they were not suspected of any specific offences, but time will tell if this changes.
Bedoucha is due to be referred to the Prosecutor of Creteil this afternoon, and charges are expected to follow. More details are likely to emerge after that.
The doctor worked with the BigMat-Auber93 team until the end of 2010. It is currently a relatively small squad, although previously it rode five Tours de France between 1996 and 2001.