Team Sky tried Viagra in search for advantage

TEAM SKY’S search for marginal medical gains extended to the point that they even tested the sex pill Viagra to establish if it had performanceenhancing benefits at altitude.

Sportsmail understands Viagra was tested at an altitude training camp for endurance riders and that some individuals used it after that. At least one rider was prescribed the drug by their personal GP, although it is not known for what reason. It is also believed a British Cycling staff member was prescribed the drug for personal use by a team doctor.

The performance-enhancing benefits of Viagra in the bedroom are well documented but some anti-doping experts believe it can also work to an athlete’s advantage in the sporting arena.

Sportsmail understands Team Sky tested Viagra while the team was in its infancy and before Bradley Wiggins claimed their first Tour de France win in 2012, suggesting a willingness to explore the possibility of its performance-enhancing uses.

Viagra is not on the World Anti-Doping Agency banned list, so no athlete is under suspicion of having committed a rule violation. But there have been campaigns in the past to prohibit its use for athletes.

Michele Verroken, the founding director of Sporting Integrity and a former head of Drugfree Sport, said: ‘The effect of Viagra is to open up the blood vessels so the blood will flow better and oxygen will move to the cells more quickly.

‘There are those who say the theory is correct but nobody can prove it enhances athletic performance in practice.’

WADA did consider adding Viagra to its banned list in 2008. It came after some endurance athletes reported it boosted blood flow to their lungs.

British Cycling and Team Sky both declined to comment.