Matej Mohorič says police raid on Bahrain Victorious hotel made him feel like a 'drug dealer'
The team have denied any wrongdoing after French police raided their hotel on Wednesday night
Tour de France stage winner Matej Mohorič said that he felt like a "drug dealer" as police raided his Bahrain Victorious hotel on Wednesday night in Pau.
Demanding riders training files and other information, the police also seized phones, computers, and even food, with up to 50 officers entering the rooms of riders and staff.
The French prosecutors, based in Marseille, have confirmed that they are investigating doping in the team. It is reported that the tip-off came from two anonymous people, although no evidence of doping within the team or its riders has come to light.
Mohorič, winner of stage seven of this year’s Tour, told a small group of reporters including Cycling Weekly after the culmination of stage 18 that he was made to feel like a criminal when the police arrived.
“Yesterday, in this situation, I felt like a drug dealer, a proper drug dealer,” the Slovenian said. “They went through my phone and everything.
“Fifty policemen broke into the hotel. I don’t know how many exactly because I didn’t count, but it was many, and they searched through everything we have got, every single one of us
“They also took some food, computers, and some guys have been left without phone and computers.
Get The Leadout Newsletter
The latest race content, interviews, features, reviews and expert buying guides, direct to your inbox!
“They said that they took them as evidence and said they will see them again in two months.”
In a statement, Bahrain Victorious denied any wrongdoing and pledged to work with the authorities investigating.
The incident, however, angered Mohorič who insisted that he and his team race clean.
“We have nothing to hide," he said. "The only thing we have to do is prove our words. We play on an even field with all the others.
“If you hide, it doesn’t make sense to me. Some days I save my energy, some days I invest my energy, but it doesn’t mean that those days I have special help or something.
“It’s super disrespectful but once the investigation is cleared I hope we are proved to be one of the best teams and good results will be expected of us.”
Asked who he thinks is behind the claims, the 26-year-old responded: “It’s hard for me to comment.
“I don’t know who made the claim or ordered the warrant. It’s not my responsibility.
“I am just here to focus on the race and I have nothing to hide. I don’t care. It’s a little bit weird, no?”
Thank you for reading 20 articles this month* Join now for unlimited access
Enjoy your first month for just £1 / $1 / €1
*Read 5 free articles per month without a subscription
Join now for unlimited access
Try first month for just £1 / $1 / €1
A freelance sports journalist and podcaster, you'll mostly find Chris's byline attached to news scoops, profile interviews and feature writing across a variety of different publications. He has been writing regularly for Cycling Weekly since 2013.
Previously a ski, hiking and cycling guide in a number of places, but mostly in the Canadian Rockies and Spanish Pyrenees, he almost certainly holds the record for the most number of interviews conducted from snowy mountains.
He lives in Valencia, Spain.
-
Trek USCX will host 4 consecutive UCI cyclocross race weekends on US soil
Trek becomes American UCI Cyclocross series title sponsor, adding a fourth race to the series in October at its headquarters in Waterloo, Wisconsin.
By Kristin Jenny Published
-
Lip service isn't good enough: here's what needs to change for cycling events to actually be inclusive
These are the key actions that make an event actually inclusive and do more than just lip service.
By Marley Blonsky Published
-
Wout van Aert back on drop bars as he says he’s 'almost professional again' in Strava post
Visma-Lease a Bike rider broke his collarbone, sternum and several ribs in a high speed crash at Dwars door Vlaanderen
By Tom Thewlis Published
-
Jonas Vingegaard leaves hospital after Itzulia Basque Country horror crash
Danish rider underwent surgery to repair broken collarbone; too early to know whether Tour de France return will be possible
By Tom Thewlis Published
-
Will the Tour de France be won by the last man standing?
With Jonas Vingegaard, Remco Evenepoel and Primož Roglič hitting the deck at Itzulia Basque Country, all three now face battle to get their seasons back on track
By Adam Becket Published
-
Tom Pidcock unable to bear weight on right leg after Itzulia Basque Country crash
British rider crashed during recon of opening stage time trial last weekend and injured his right hip
By Tom Thewlis Published
-
Mark Cavendish to miss Scheldeprijs as illness continues to affect schedule
Cavendish will ride Presidential Cycling Tour of Türkiye later this month, Astana Qazaqstan confirms
By Tom Thewlis Published
-
Mathieu van der Poel not intimidated by Tadej Pogačar’s form ahead of Milan-San Remo clash
Dutchman starts his 2024 road season at Italian Monument on Saturday
By Tom Thewlis Published
-
'I pulled it off and turned everything around' - Brandon McNulty on the ride that changed him
US star grabbed his first ever Grand Tour win at last year’s Giro d’Italia
By Tom Thewlis Published
-
Matteo Jorgenson, Visma-Lease a Bike’s new star, continues to impress at Paris-Nice
The American could step into the leaders yellow jersey on Tuesday evening after stage three’s team time trial in Auxerre
By Tom Thewlis Published