A report in French sports daily L'Equipe has claimed that the participation of the Cofidis team in this year's Tour de France is in doubt after their leading rider David Millar allegedly confessed to using EPO. Millar was taken in for questioning by French police two days ago following allegations by his former team-mate Philippe Gaumont that the Scot was one of several riders on the team who used banned substances.
According to today's edition of L'Equipe, Millar allegedly admitted using EPO during his time in custody. The French paper also reported that empty ampoules of Eprex (a brand of EPO) were found by police in Millar's house whilst he was being detained.
If this is the case, Millar is likely to be charged by Nanterre judge Richard Pallain, who is heading the investigation into the Cofidis team. Several riders including Gaumont have already been charged in the affair.
Millar's participation in the Tour de France and the Olympics - where he would have been one of the favourites for gold in the time trial - is now seriously in doubt. Pressure is also building on the Tour de France organisers to exclude Cofidis from this year's race which begins in Liege in eight days time.
Filed by Brendan Cole
