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French Anti-Doping Agency (AFLD) president Pierre Bordry has resigned.

The reason for Bordry’s departure is not clear.

But he told Reuters: “I have resigned. The agency has reached a level of competence that has been acknowledged by the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA).

"Important decisions are to be made in the near future and since I had only a few months left in my presidency, I wanted to pass it on now," he said, without elaborating.

Under Bordry, the AFLD had samples from the 2008 Tour de France re-tested for the banned blood-boosting substance erythropoietin (EPO), leading to several top riders being suspended.

Bordry was involved in several rows, most notably with the International Cycling Union (UCI), whom he accused of giving preferential treatment to Alberto Contador's and Lance Armstrong's then Astana team in the 2009 Tour de France.

UCI president Pat McQuaid told Reuters: "I hope for the sake of the fight against doping, which is so important for the integrity of sport, that UCI can find a good collaboration with his successor and AFLD."

Bordry, who started his job in July, 2005, complained recently that the AFLD lacked the funds to reach his target of 9,000 doping tests per year.