Support road.cc

Like this site? Help us to make it better.

news

MP: "A cloud now hangs over" Sir Bradley Wiggins after UK Anti-doping probe

Damian Collins, who chairs Culture, Media & Sport select committee, says result of investigation "not an exoneration of anyone"...

A Member of Parliament heading an inquiry into doping in sport has said that “a cloud now hangs over one of our greatest Olympians” – Sir Bradley Wiggins – following yesterday’s announcement by UK Anti-doping (UKAD) that it had concluded its investigation into British Cycling and Team Sky and that no charges would be brought.

The investigation focused on the therapeutic use exemptions granted to Wiggins ahead of key races including the 2012 Tour de France, which he won, and the medicine destined for him that was couriered to former Team Sky doctor Richard Freeman at the 2011 Criterium du Dauphiné.

> UKAD confirms Team Sky and British Cycling will not face charges over Jiffy bag delivered to Sir Bradley Wiggins at 2011 Criterium du Dauphine

Damian Collins, who chairs the House of Commons Select Committee for Culture Media and Sport, told the Daily Telegraph that the outcome of UKAD’s probe was “not an exoneration of anyone.”

The anti-doping agency said yesterday that a “lack of accurate medical records” had hindered its investigation, and was a source of “serious concern.”

UKAD has said it will pass some of the evidence it collected during the investigation to the General Medical Council for possible further action.

Collins said: “I think it clearly shows that UKAD does not have the powers it needs and I've been very clear on this.”

“UKAD currently relies on people's willingness to cooperate. It has no legal authority to compel anyone to speak.”

The MP, who said his committee would be publishing its report “in the next few weeks,” also said that he was leaning towards in favour of criminalising doping.

“I think so,” he said. “I was very struck by the evidence [former rider] Nicole Cooke gave to the select committee when she said that in those countries where doping is illegal, they have much more effective investigations.”

He insisted that neither British Cycling nor Team Sky had emerged from the investigation with credit, saying: “What’s clear from UKAD's statement is if Sky and British Cycling had kept proper medical records, this could have been wrapped up a lot sooner.

“It is unacceptable. A cloud now hangs over one of our greatest Olympians.”

After UKAD’s statement was published yesterday, Wiggins took to social media to say that he welcomed the announcement, but questioned why the investigation had been launched in the first place.

"No evidence exists to prove a case against me and in all other circumstances this would be an unqualified finding of innocence,” added Wiggins, who said that at times during the past year he felt like the victim of a “malicious witch hunt.”

Simon joined road.cc as news editor in 2009 and is now the site’s community editor, acting as a link between the team producing the content and our readers. A law and languages graduate, published translator and former retail analyst, he has reported on issues as diverse as cycling-related court cases, anti-doping investigations, the latest developments in the bike industry and the sport’s biggest races. Now back in London full-time after 15 years living in Oxford and Cambridge, he loves cycling along the Thames but misses having his former riding buddy, Elodie the miniature schnauzer, in the basket in front of him.

Add new comment

28 comments

Avatar
philtregear | 6 years ago
1 like

I no longer have any respect for Wiggins, Sutton ( now happy to take China`s tainted money) or Brailsford. If you accept  bending the rules as far as they did as legitimate, you may as well support doping in sport. Team Sky, the self professed " clean team" . Joke.

Avatar
peted76 | 6 years ago
1 like

Wiggins and Sky has been hung and flogged by the media. Notably the British media like they've been looking for another Lance Lord Voldemort.  

Inflamatory headlines and articles featured in CW (amongst others) have fanned each flame like it's Bonfire night. 

We all knew there would be no evidence of wrongdoing when the doc stated he lost his laptop in 2014 and didn't keep a backup.. We knew this twelve months ago, but still the flames are fanned, the loyalists are resolute, no Sir BW is a legend can do no wrong, the naysayers still claim moral victory, boo hiss down with Bradley like some sort of panto villian.. but there's simply nothing to see here. It is a basic tenet of British law that the accused are innocent until proven guilty, and the burden of proof is on the prosecution. I'm unclear as to whether Bradley or Sky have actually been accused of anything besides using the rules as others do, being unorganised and not having any robust procedures in place - but I can't see anywhere where it says they should be ISO9001 accredited...

The TUE's BW took are legal and are used by other teams, every year (before this) someone writes an article on 'isn't it surprising how many pro cyclists have asthma and need a TUE...'  In 2009 there were 239 TUE's granted by the UCI, 97 in 2010, 55 in 2011, 46 in 2012, 31 in 2013 and so on, down to 15 in 2016 in very clear slow decline...  one might conclude that not all of them were medically needed.. but still they've been granted by the UCI.

Bradders had triamcinolone TUE's granted prior to the tdf he won.. that sounds iffy, but not jiffy!

Surely all this vitriol should be directed to the rules not the doctors, coaches and althetes? I  do wonder what is gained and the motives of the people who've published some of these strongly worded articles..  pure journalistic egotism, perhaps bowing to advertiser pressures, personal grudges, foreign bais, something more sinister..

 

My sixpenny bit anyway.. I'm not sure it's all fact checked and am open to have my knowledge expanded.

Avatar
Jimmy Ray Will | 6 years ago
3 likes

As I mentioned the other day. Sky were effectively asked to bring forward evidence with which they could then be convicted. No surprise to learn that they weren't too forthcoming.

As I understand it, there was no legaslitive requirement for the team to maintain medical records, and rightly or wrongly, no records were maintained. That said, had they been maintained, would they have documented any dastardly deeds within? I doubt that. 

I am under no illusion that Sky are doing everything they can get away with to aid performance of their riders, but I am relatively comfortable (for now) that they will be playing within the rules (just). 

On an ethical basis this will leave a bitter taste in many mouthes, but what there is a complete lack of is any clear evidence of actual rule breaking. Therefore, how can a 'cloud' be left hanging here? 

There is a difference between playing to the edge of the rules and breaking them. 

So what if Wiggins lied in his book, he did not break any rules. So what if TUE's were issued that are questionable; they were issued by the sports governing body, so again, no rules were broken. So what if a mystery package was delivered, without evidence of what was in that package it is a non-story. 

 

 

Avatar
peted76 replied to Jimmy Ray Will | 6 years ago
0 likes

Jimmy Ray Will wrote:

As I mentioned the other day. Sky were effectively asked to bring forward evidence with which they could then be convicted. No surprise to learn that they weren't too forthcoming.

As I understand it, there was no legaslitive requirement for the team to maintain medical records, and rightly or wrongly, no records were maintained. That said, had they been maintained, would they have documented any dastardly deeds within? I doubt that. 

I am under no illusion that Sky are doing everything they can get away with to aid performance of their riders, but I am relatively comfortable (for now) that they will be playing within the rules (just). 

On an ethical basis this will leave a bitter taste in many mouthes, but what there is a complete lack of is any clear evidence of actual rule breaking. Therefore, how can a 'cloud' be left hanging here? 

There is a difference between playing to the edge of the rules and breaking them. 

So what if Wiggins lied in his book, he did not break any rules. So what if TUE's were issued that are questionable; they were issued by the sports governing body, so again, no rules were broken. So what if a mystery package was delivered, without evidence of what was in that package it is a non-story. 

Wot he said ^^

Avatar
Flying Scot | 6 years ago
5 likes

In no other UK Sport would this even have been detected, indeed do some enquiries as to the number of TUE’s issued to non cycling federations.

BW, since he was a boy, has been an outstanding talent, these guys do what they’re told and I dont doubt their teams push the edge of what’s legal or not at times.

Im no fanboy, but you simply cant put him in the same category as several other convicted and ‘suspicious’ riders who all of a sudden over a winter went from being an also ran to winning a grand tour.

In my opinion, Brad is being unfairly judged due to the whiter than white hyperbole of Team Sky, who I have never liked and has always been a doubt in my mind. I’m not saying they are dirty, just that like most pro sports teams they will stray into unethical areas.

Rugby is of course one of the worst offenders, due to trying to stretch the slow and fast twitch guys into the other areas to make a more rounded player, that and recovery from physical injuries.

Football and Tennis are another two that need a damn good look at, but the organisers dont want to risk upsetting the superstars, and dont get me started on the IAAF the IOC and FINA who make Lance Armstrong look like a pillar of society.

Avatar
Alb | 6 years ago
4 likes

FFS guys, cut them some slack. Least we forget that Freeman did in fact document all records on his laptop... which was then stolen on holiday and never seen again. Lololololololol

Nowt stronger and tastier than Team Sky Koolaid! Bottoms up! 

Avatar
wycombewheeler | 6 years ago
2 likes

Innocent until proven guilty. unless there is not even sufficient evidence to go to trial, in which case "probably guilty" it seems

Avatar
misterbee | 6 years ago
0 likes

I wrote an email and sent it to the committee Mr Collins chairs some weeks ago pointing out that whilst his committee seems determined to thoroughly investigate the alleged jiffy bag incident they dont seem to be bothered about investigating the sport which currently contributes two thirds of the banned athletes on the UKAD register, namely rugby.

I received a polite reply from a minion saying my email would be brought to his attention but have heard nothing since.

It seems an obvious place to start, in investigating drugs abuse in sport, to look at the evidence of where the problem is greatest and begin there.

Avatar
misterbee | 6 years ago
2 likes

I wrote an email and sent it to the committee Mr Collins chairs some weeks ago pointing out that whilst his committee seems determined to thoroughly investigate the alleged jiffy bag incident they dont seem to be bothered about investigating the sport which currently contributes two thirds of the banned athletes on the UKAD register, namely rugby.

I received a polite reply from a minion saying my email would be brought to his attention but have heard nothing since.

It seems an obvious place to start, in investigating drugs abuse in sport, to look at the evidence of where the problem is greatest and begin there.

Avatar
Simon E | 6 years ago
2 likes

Richard Freeman is still refusing to answer the awkward questions:

//pbs.twimg.com/media/DOxcfMpXcAE1a49?format=jpg&name=small)

https://twitter.com/kenem/status/931220953631199233

If Sky were clean, open and transparent we wouldn't still be talking about this topic and the CMS committee wouldn't have had anything to investigate.

If UKAD had any teeth (and reading this Guardian article it seems they really do not) we may have had some answers.

So would people prefer the CMS select committee just ask Bradley Wiggins some soft questions about how he's getting on with the rowing?

But rather than focus on the unanswered questions, and the possibility that the first British rider to win the Tour de France may have cheated, it makes far more sense to sling mud at Damian Green simply because he's a Tory MP.

Avatar
deanj | 6 years ago
1 like

All that has been proven here is that Damian Green is a self-serving, odious Tory twerp. He has clearly just been using this as an opportunity to raise his own profile. I hope Wiggins sues him for defamation.

Avatar
drosco replied to deanj | 6 years ago
0 likes
deanj wrote:

All that has been proven here is that Damian Green is a self-serving, odious Tory twerp. He has clearly just been using this as an opportunity to raise his own profile. I hope Wiggins sues him for defamation.

Love is blind.

Avatar
davel replied to deanj | 6 years ago
3 likes
deanj wrote:

All that has been proven here is that Damian Green is a self-serving, odious Tory twerp. He has clearly just been using this as an opportunity to raise his own profile. I hope Wiggins sues him for defamation.

Green really is a proper self-serving, career Tory. He's also been caught up in the latest MP sleazefest through a claim of having porn on his HofP PC.

But for all his faults, he's got absolutely dick to do with this story.

Avatar
Grahamd | 6 years ago
0 likes

Maybe he should move to a more sunny climate.

Avatar
check12 | 6 years ago
3 likes

"I’ve never had an injection, apart from I’ve had my vaccinations, and on occasion I’ve been put on a drip, when I’ve come down with diarrhoea or something or have been severely dehydrated.”

Lies, damn lies and overcompensating for things you feel guilty about doing.

Avatar
mattsccm | 6 years ago
2 likes

What the MP means is that he didn't see a result that he wanted. Funny how he knows more than the experts isn't it.

Oh yeah. Why do some posters have to lower themselves to swearing? It is a public forum you know.

Avatar
Simon E replied to mattsccm | 6 years ago
6 likes

mattsccm wrote:

What the MP means is that he didn't see a result that he wanted. Funny how he knows more than the experts isn't it.

He is the chair of the committee so is going to know more than the average forum troll / Wiggo fanboy. Or can you demonstrate otherwise?

The lack of evidence means that, as he said, no-one is exhonerated. Since there was a jiffy bag and Wiggins did have some injections (contradicting what he said in his book) I can't see how he can be 'proven' innocent. I now wonder what else he's said that wasn't true and, while I don't wish him any ill, IMHO he and Sky haven't done themselves any favours.

Avatar
alansmurphy replied to Simon E | 6 years ago
1 like

Simon E wrote:

 

The lack of evidence means that, as he said, no-one is exhonerated. Since there was a jiffy bag and Wiggins did have some injections (contradicting what he said in his book) I can't see how he can be 'proven' innocent. 

 

He doesn't have to be proven innocent because you are innocent until you are proven guilty.

 

It doesn't matter if there was a bag, there was a bloody big bus and a truck full of bikes. My cadence sensor comes from Amazon in a jiffy bag.

 

Even the needles thing is taken out of context, if someone has a TUE and the best method of providing that drug is the needle then that's what the Doctor will do. There's potentially others getting non banned vitamins, protein and all sorts through needles which Wiggins suggests he wouldn't.

 

If you don't like the guy that is fine, but there can be smoke without fire and frankly they've thrown enough mud and come up with a small padded envelope...

 

Avatar
Simon E replied to alansmurphy | 6 years ago
1 like

alansmurphy wrote:

He doesn't have to be proven innocent because you are innocent until you are proven guilty.

It's not a court of law. Nothing has been proven either way and that's my point: we still don't know.

alansmurphy wrote:

It doesn't matter if there was a bag, there was a bloody big bus and a truck full of bikes. My cadence sensor comes from Amazon in a jiffy bag.

I fail to see the relevance. Cadence sensors are not doping and you and your Amazon seller are happy to tell us what the contents are.

alansmurphy wrote:

If you don't like the guy that is fine, but there can be smoke without fire and frankly they've thrown enough mud and come up with a small padded envelope...

I never said I didn't like him. I'm concerned that a Tour de France winner and his team, the one that has won 4 of the last 5 Tours, have left serious questions unanswered.

So if there was something illegal in that small padded envelope - and we don't know because no-one will say what was in it - then it's a serious matter.

But it's Bradley and Sky so let's turn a blind eye. Like everyone did after Simpson, after Festina. Shout down anyone who speaks out or asks difficult questions. It will all blow over and BC's equivalent of Motoman can get back to carrying drugs (or whatever it was) across Europe without anyone asking about it.

Avatar
Beecho replied to mattsccm | 6 years ago
1 like

mattsccm wrote:

What the MP means is that he didn't see a result that he wanted. Funny how he knows more than the experts isn't it.

Oh yeah. Why do some posters have to lower themselves to swearing? It is a public forum you know.

Aw man, they're just naughty words. People swear and sometimes one needs to swear. Like many things in life, this can be overdone, but that just tends to make the author look a bit stupid. There really are far more offensive things to worry about.

Avatar
davel replied to mattsccm | 6 years ago
1 like

mattsccm wrote:

Oh yeah. Why do some posters have to lower themselves to swearing? It is a public forum you know.

Because we're really fucking clever.

Avatar
carytb | 6 years ago
4 likes

On a less confrontational note, how any Member of Parliament can talk about tarnished reputations with a straight face is beyond belief.

Avatar
luiandlui | 6 years ago
3 likes

Britain's greatest ever Olympian and a TdF winner. Hard to argue he isn't a sporting legend. This doesn't tarnish his legacy for me personally but I guess it may for some.

Avatar
Simmo72 | 6 years ago
1 like

Ignore any guff in the daily mail and your life will be better.  Yes, agree with the view on MPs.

Clerical/Admin error, that is it.

Avatar
Yorkshire wallet | 6 years ago
7 likes

MPs can fuck off. How many clouds hang over these self-righteous twats. Go and fuck a rent boy or something.

Avatar
boringbutton replied to Yorkshire wallet | 6 years ago
6 likes

Yorkshire wallet wrote:

MPs can fuck off. How many clouds hang over these self-righteous twats. Go and fuck a rent boy or something.

well that escalated quickly...

Avatar
drosco | 6 years ago
2 likes

Are you serious?

Avatar
Russell Orgazoid | 6 years ago
3 likes

Nonsense...the man's a living legend.

Latest Comments