Contained in a vial, and accompanied by a label that included a barcode and the word “test” on it, these pills picked up on the roadside following a crash in Sunday’s Paris-Roubaix have become a talking point on Twitter.

Cycling fans at Worthing-based veterinary practice company Thames Medical triggered their inner detectives after riders in the peloton fell near them on the approach to a cobbled sector halfway through the race.

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CW understands that the vial came out of the back pocket of a heavily-ripped jersey, and no team personnel made any attempt to pick it up after helping their rider rejoin the action.

The vial suffered damage after being run over by a vehicle in the race convoy.

Although no direct contact with the UCI or race organiser ASO has been made yet, those in possession of the pills has sent them pictures of the vial via Twitter.