UKAD accuse cycling chiefs of hindering Wiggins probe

BRITISH CYCLING have been accused of hindering and potentially compromising UK Anti-Doping’s ‘jiffy bag’ investigation into Sir Bradley Wiggins. The claims are made in a stinging letter sent by UKAD to British Cycling at the conclusion of their inquiry in November. Access to the letter was denied to this newspaper despite a freedom of information request but the BBC have obtained it and the contents are another major blow to the credibility of the governing body. UKAD were particularly critical of British Cycling’s failure to report allegations surrounding the delivery of a medical package for Wiggins and Team Sky when they were first contacted by the Daily

Mail in September 2016. ‘Despite being aware of allegations in relation to the 2011 package, British Cycling were slow to inform UKAD of these,’ the letter states. ‘Contact by British Cycling with some members of staff at British Cycling prior to informing UKAD could have potentially compromised our investigation. There is an obligation to report any suspicions or allegations of doping. Failure to inform UKAD at the time that individuals within British Cycling became aware of such suspicions meant this story had already reached a number of individuals before UKAD was informed, and thus able to act. That only hindered our efforts.’ In a parliamentary hearing last year UKAD were highly critical of the medical operation at British Cycling and Team Sky and, in particular, the failure by then doctor Richard Freeman to keep proper records. Team Sky claim the Wiggins package contained a legal decongestant but were unable to provide any documents to prove it. British Cycling last night said they ‘welcomed and accepted the recommendations made by UKAD in its letter’.