Between 50 and 60 cyclists have been notified that they are under investigation in connection with the doping scandal at this year's Giro d'Italia, according to Italy's Ansa news agency.

German star Jan Ullrich is among a total of 84 people who are said to have been notified by Florence prosecutors, following the June raids by 200 drug squad officers at team hotels during the final stages of the Giro.

They seized about 200 packages of medicine, including stimulants, anabolic steroids, corticosteroids and used syringes.

Under the Italian legal system, prosecutors must enter the name of anyone who might potentially face investigation in a register.

Once a preliminary investigation reaches a certain stage, prosecutors must formally advise the individual that they are under investigation and tell them why.

The notice does not imply guilt, nor does it mean that charges will necessarily be brought against the individual.