The President of the International Cycling Union (UCI), Hein Verbruggen, was held in custody for questioning by judicial police in Lille, France, yesterday over the doping scandal that affected last year's Tour de France.

Verbruggen, who can be held for up to 48 hours, was due to answer questions concerning the effectiveness and willingness of the UCI in combating drug use.

Verbruggen, who was heavily criticised last year for only paying a brief visit to the Tour de France despite the mass arrests over the drugs scandal which threatened to destroy the sport, was accompanied by two UCI lawyers.

The Dutchman, who requested that the UCI be a civil party to the case so they could have access to the dossier surrounding the scandal, had said in April that he wanted to meet the investigating judge Patrick Keil so he could explain in detail the UCI's attitude on the taking of performance-enhancing drugs.

According to justice sources Verbruggen, who has insisted that the UCI are the most advanced federation in the struggle against doping, will meet Keil after the police have finished questioning him.

Meanwhile, French cycling team Cofidis announced yesterday that it had suspended riders Philippe Gaumont and Frank Vandenbroucke until the latest doping scandal afflicting the sport is resolved.

Gaumont had been freed on bail on Sunday after being formally accused by French judges of contravening French drug laws while Belgian Vandenbroucke, was freed without charge on Friday.