Police raid puts event in doubt

The Giro d'Italia could be cancelled after the 18th stage was halted following a series of police raids on riders' hotel rooms.

The operation was the biggest of its kind since the 1998 Tour de France when the entire Festina team was expelled after large quantities of banned substances were found in a team car.

Three riders have withdrawn from this year's race after failing tests for the banned hormone EPO.

Pascal Herve, of the Alexia team, and Riccardo Forconi of Merca-tone Uno tested positive during the event while Lampre's Sergio Barbero pulled out after it emerged he had failed a test during the recent Tour de Romandie.

Race organisers said the stage had been cut for "logistical and organisational reasons", and competitors were meeting to decide whether to continue with the event.