Rémy Di Gregorio (Cofidis) has been suspended by his team amid a police investigation into doping allegations.

The 26-year-old Frenchman, a domestique with the Pro Continental team, has been suspended by his employers and taken to Marseille for further investigation.

In a statement, the Cofidis team said: “We have just learned that one of our riders, competing at the Tour de France, has attempted to resort to doping substances to improve his performance.

“At the current time, we have very little information about the facts of the case.

“However the suspicion on the rider concerned, Remy Di Gregorio, leaves us with no choice but to hand down the strictest possible sanctions.”

“Remy di Gregorio is therefore immediately suspended, provisionally, while we await more ample information on the case.

“If the suspicions are confirmed, he will be sacked on the spot — in accordance with the stipulations in his contract and in line with the ethical policy of the team.”

Cofidis left the Tour voluntarily in 2007 after a doping scandal, but today’ statement expressed the team’s intention to return to racing after today’s rest day.

“We believe however that this isolated case should not place any doubt on the team’s continued participation in the Tour de France, or penalise those who have nothing to blame themselves for.

“The team will therefore line up for the race tomorrow morning.”