Cyclists to continue in Giro

Riders had their rooms invaded on Wednesday night

Riders have agreed to continue in the Giro d'Italia after calling off a stage in protest against drugs raids by Italian police on their hotels.

Organisers of the event cancelled Thurday's 18th stage after the competitors called an emergency meeting to decide upon the fate of this year's Giro.

After seven hours of talks, Enrico Ingrilli, the president of the Italian riders association, announced that the riders would continue with the tour on Friday.

"In the light of the debate held, and with the aim of saving the values of cycling, the riders have decided they will finish the 84th Giro D'Italia," the cyclists said in a statement.

"They will do it knowing to have worked towards building a serene and dignified future with all the relative governing bodies of the sport."

Italy's drug police raided hotels on Wednesday following the 17th stage, with some 200 officers having searched the rooms of all 20 teams around the San Remo resort.

Italian news agency ANSA quoted police sources as saying substances including testosterone, caffeine, adrenal and anabolic steroids and other stimulants had been seized.

"I've been told that the commander who conducted the operation has confirmed the seizure of an amount of substances," said Giancarlo Ceruti, president of the Italian Cycling Federation.

"I think banned substances definitely," he added.