Cycling: Manager and doctor quit troubled Cofidis

David Millar's beleaguered Cofidis squad has announced that their team manager, Alain Bondue, and doctor, Jean-Jacques Menuet, have both resigned.

David Millar's beleaguered Cofidis squad has announced that their team manager, Alain Bondue, and doctor, Jean-Jacques Menuet, have both resigned.

The news came on the eve of the squad's return to racing, after the team had suspended itself nearly a month ago following a welter of doping scandals which has seen several of its riders placed under investigation for possible offences against French anti-doping law.

The departure of Bondue and Menuet will be seen as an attempt by Cofidis to fulfil their promise of a major reorganisation of the squad's structure. Both were key figures in France's leading cycling team: Bondue had been part of the team organisation since 1997 and Menuet joined the squad a few years later.

"I shall miss them both." Millar said. "Jean-Jacques just couldn't handle working in this environment any more."

Three Cofidis riders - Frenchmen Cedric Vasseur, Médéric Clain and Philippe Gaumont - have either been suspended or sacked because of the police investigations. Those riders who remain will now be under strict supervision, with new regular internal testing to deter any temptation.

The team's first event after their month-long spell out is the Four Days of Dunkirk stage event in northern France, starting today. "It's a tough race, but no worries," Millar reflected.

Alasdair Fotheringham writes for Cycling Weekly