The pan-European policing organization Europol has confirmed a co-ordinated investigation into allegations of drug cheating, ahead of the Tour de France. 

Fourteen raids were confirmed across at least six countries this week - including on the Bahrain Victorious team which will ride the Tour that starts on Friday. 

The properties of several riders and their staff were searched in Belgium, Spain, Croatia, Italy, Poland and Slovenia, according to Europol. The organization employs its own investigators, but also works to co-ordinate national police in Europe. 

No arrests have been made, and the team in question has released a strongly-worded statement condemning the police action as "intentionally damaging the team's reputation," and has denied any cheating. 

Doping - the name given to the use of banned substances in sport - is not only a breach of many sports' codes, but is a criminal offence in many European countries.

"Doping substances not only corrupt fair competitions, they also endanger the health of athletes as criminals often produce illegal doping substances in underground labs with no hygiene requirements, while using dangerous and substandard raw materials. These illicit doping substances poison players in all sports: from track athletes, professional cyclists, skiers and weightlifters to amateur bodybuilders," Europol stated. 

But for the team involved in this case, and its timing immediately before the biggest bike race in the world, the news is not welcome. 

"The team have always cooperated completely transparently with all competent institutions and will continue to do so in the future, with the hope of greater transparency and a sense of the independence of investigators, as well as equal treatment of all teams," Bahrain Victorious team's statement said.