Doubts over Manzano claims

Tour de France race director Jean-Marie Leblanc is monitoring drug allegations made by Kelme rider Jesus Manzano against his former team.

Manzano, sacked by Kelme after last year's Tour of Spain, claims he was injected with an unknown substance during last year's Tour de France.

Kelme's bid for a wildcard to this year's Tour could be harmed, although Leblanc has doubts about the claims.

"If it turns out that what Manzano said is true or false, we'll act," he said.

"But my feeling is that Manzano is saying whatever he wants."

The 25-year-old Spaniard admitted he was speaking out to avenge his sacking.

Manzano claimed that he lost feeling in his hands and felt nauseous during the seventh stage of last year's Tour after taking the unknown substance.

Following hospital treatment, Manzano claims his team advised him to have a blood transfusion, which he alleges made him feel ill and fear for his life.

Kelme sporting director Vicente Belda angrily denied the claims, saying: "He is not telling the truth and he cannot tar the entire peloton with the same brush.

"The team's lawyers are working on this."