Three leaders of former Dutch cycling team TVM were handed suspended prison sentences and fines for "organiseddoping" during the 1998 Tour de France by a court in Reims today.
The TVM team, who were thrown out of the drug-riddled 1998 Tour de France, had denied systematic doping and above all the use oferythropoietin (EPO).
Former TVM sports director and ex-rider Cees Priem, found to be the principal organiser of doping within the team, received an 18-monthsuspended sentence and an 80,000 French francs (10,000 dollar) fine.
Prosecutors had requested a two-year sentence and a heavy fine for Priem.
The team's Russian doctor Andrei Mikhailov, who supervised the doping, received a one-year sentence and 60,000 francs (7,800 dollar) fine, whileteam physio Ian Moors, received a six-month sentence and 10,000 francs (1,300 dollar) fine.
The three were also ordered to pay a total of 65,000 francs (8,436 dollars) to Customs, for breaking regulations in relation to the importation ofdoping products.
None of the TVM riders, who in 1998 were part of the group which staged a sit-down protest during the Tour, were charged. TVM pulled out ofthe team which has since been renamed Farms Frites.