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A preliminary investigation into several teams who took part in the 2009 Tour de France has been launched after suspicious medical material was seized during the race.

Syringes and transfusion equipment believed to belong to teams were found in containers provided to dump medical waste and are currently being analysed, a spokeswoman for Paris prosecutors said.

"It (the material) is now being analysed by experts to determine whether we can found illegal substances and DNA that could possibly link it to riders," she said.

She did not specify which teams were concerned by the investigation and did not confirm reports saying it was aimed at the Astana team of Tour winner Alberto Contador and seven-times champion Lance Armstrong.

Astana reacted to allegations of their involvement, reported by L'Equipe, with surprise.

"We are surprised to read in the French press that the team is involved in an investigation by French prosecutors into doping," the Kazakh team said. "These media reports are the first we as a team have heard of an investigation. 

"According to the press articles, the investigation involves a number of cycling teams having participated in the 2009 Tour de France.

"The Astana Cycling Team has nothing to hide, the riders use no forbidden substances, the team is confident in the result of analyses performed or to be performed by a Parisian laboratory and is prepared to cooperate."

Under French law, a preliminary investigation is launched to determine whether there is sufficient ground to open a formal investigation.

News of the investigation came a day before the presentation of the route of the 2010 Tour de France on Wednesday in Paris.

Cycling's showcase event has been persistently tainted by doping controversy over the past few years.

Tour de France director Christian Prudhomme told Reuters this week the fact the 2009 Tour de France had remained scandal-free proved cycling was changing, although the fight against doping must continue.

The French anti-doping agency said this month that a report on testing procedures during this year's Tour suggested Astana were given preferential treatment during the race.

Both Astana and the UCI dismissed the suggestions as completely groundless.

Reuters