Biondi & DuPouey implicated in doping charges

Twenty-three people, including former AG2R assistant directeur sportif, Laurent Biondi, former world mountain bike champion Christophe Dupouey and former pro rider Laurent Roux have been named by the Bordeaux court in connection with an investigation into the trafficking of 'pot belge', an illegal doping cocktail of amphetamine, heroin and cocaine.

The principal suspect in the case is Belgian former soigneur Freddy Sergant who worked for the ADR team at the end of the 1980s. Sergant has been accused of "importation, possession and transfer of doping and narcotic substances," while Biondi has been charged with "transportation, possession, and acquisition of narcotic substances and also usage."

Sergant and his wife were recently released from custody after being held for almost a year. The distribution network they are alleged to have controlled is believed to have imported more than 3,000 doses of pot belge into France between January 2002 and January 2005.

Related stories

January 22, 2005: Three ex-pros involved in doping ring
January 23, 2005: Ten charged in Bordeaux
March 4, 2005: AG2R director arrested
March 8, 2005: Biondi charged
March 8, 2005: AG2R suspends Biondi
January 4, 2006: Sergant and wife released