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KORTRIJK, Jun 7 (CP) - Belgian authorities have raided the houses of several professional cyclists in that country, particularly Quickstep riders.

On Thursday morning, a number of riders was surprised by the action and several are currently being heard about possible involvement in a doping scandal.

Names have not been revealed, although the three Dutch Quickstep cyclists Addy Engels, Steven De Jongh and Bram Tankink announced that they were not involved.

Team leaders Patrick Lefevere and Wilfried Peeters claimed not to know anything about the situation.

The operation, which allegedly took place in the area of Kortrijk, is thought to have been triggered by remarks of Belgian politician Jean-Marie Dedecker in 2006.

Dedecker said that three or four Belgian top cyclists underwent doping treatment in Italy, in February last year.

© Jonathan Roorda