Huge rise in dope retests for GB riders

BRITISH riders had their doping samples retested at the same time that ex-British Cycling and Team Sky doctor Richard Freeman faced a medical tribunal. UK Anti-Doping (UKAD) have released figures showing that they have reanalysed 302 samples since January 2020, including 102 taken from cyclists. It is a significant ramping up of the agency’s retesting programme, as only 120 blood and urine samples of athletes — and only 39 of riders — were checked from January 2011 to January 2020. The rise in retesting comes as Freeman was struck off the medical register last month. He was found guilty of ordering banned testosterone in 2011 ‘knowing or believing’ it was to dope a rider. UKAD are trying to catch any potential cheats from 2011 ahead of the Tokyo Olympics and before the 10-year statute of limitations ends, after which historic doping offences cannot be punished. A UKAD spokesperson said: ‘When to reanalyse a sample is a decision which involves consideration of many factors including specific intelligence reports, developments in science and technology to detect prohibited substances and significant upcoming competitions.’ UKAD are currently under investigation by the World Anti-Doping Agency after the Mail on Sunday revealed that they allowed British Cycling to carry out their own probe into why a 2010 urine sample of a team rider contained traces of banned substance nandrolone.