French customs stopped and searched a car from the Astana cycling team at a tollgate near Toulouse on Tuesday.

Astana, which is financed by the Kazakh government, had withdrawn from the Tour de France earlier on Tuesday after the revelation that their lead rider, Alexander Vinokourov, had been found to be blood doping.

Police later turned up at their hotel and raided their premises and team bus, leaving with several black bags. Vinokourov had already left by the back door of the hotel.

Toulouse general prosecutor Paul Michel told AFP that a team car had been stopped just before 2100 GMT and was being searched.

"This search could have something to do with doping," he told AFP. "Several people belonging to the team were in the vehicle. They have been questioned by the customs officials. After that the police could also want to talk to them."

Astana - which suspended Vinokourov subject to his B sample being tested - had earlier agreed to withdraw from the race after organizers reuested they do so.