The Courier & Advertiser (Perth and Perthshire Edition)
Wiggins says drug claims are ‘malicious’ attempt to ‘smear’ him
CYCLING: Sir Bradley and Team Sky accused of ‘crossing an ethical line’
Sir Bradley Wiggins claimed he is the victim of a “malicious” attempt to “smear” his reputation after denying he had ever cheated during his career.
A report by the Digital, Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) committee accused Wiggins, Team Sky and Sir Dave Brailsford of “crossing an ethical line” by asking for therapeutic use exemptions (TUEs) for banned medication they did not really need.
The team and Wiggins, who in an interview with the BBC said “I’d have had more rights if I’d murdered someone”, have denied the allegations, saying they only used prescribed drugs for valid medical reasons.
Asked if he categorically denied cheating, Wiggins said: “A hundred per cent. Never, throughout my career.” Wiggins added: “This is malicious. “This is someone trying to smear me. “These allegations, it’s the worst thing to be accused of.
“It’s also the hardest thing to prove you haven’t done.
“We’re not dealing in a legal system. “I’d have had more rights if I’d murdered someone.”
Wiggins said that he was “hurt” by comments made by former Team Sky coach and British Cycling technical director Shane Sutton.
The DCMS select committee report centred on the team’s use of triamcinolone to treat Wiggins’ asthma
Triamcinolone is an antiinflammatory steroid that can be used for medical purposes but can also help cyclists shed weight without losing power.
The DCMS report says the team crossed the ethical line by using the medication, and this was denied by Wiggins.
“No we didn’t,” the 37-year-old said. “Not at any time during my career did we cross the ethical line.
“As I’ve said before, I had a medical condition, that I went to a doctor, this has been treated since back in 2003 when I was diagnosed with it, through the doctors at British Cycling at that time.”
I’d have had more rights if I’d murdered someone.
SIR BRADLEY WIGGINS