Ukad strongly criticised British Cycling's record keeping and relationship with Team Sky in confidential letter

Among a series of concerning revelations, Ukad's head said it 'found no formal processes or procedures' to record the purchase or use of medical supplies

Lawrence Ostlere
Friday 12 January 2018 21:45 GMT
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The medical room at the Manchester Velodrome was 'chaotic and disorganised'
The medical room at the Manchester Velodrome was 'chaotic and disorganised' (Getty)

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British Cycling has released a letter sent by UK Anti-Doping which reveals an attack on the beleaguered national body’s record keeping and its failure to report suspicions of doping, as well as criticism of British Cycling’s close relationship with Team Sky.

Ukad closed its investigation into British Cycling and Team Sky in November, deeming it “impossible” to determine the contents of a Jiffy bag delivered to Sir Bradley Wiggins at the Critérium du Dauphiné in June 2011.

The three-page letter, which was released on Friday morning in the wake of pressure from the BBC, was addressed to British Cycling chief executive Julie Harrington and signed by her Ukad counterpart Nicole Sapstead. It was dated 14 November 2017, the day before Ukad revealed it was dropping its investigation.

Among a series of concerning revelations, Sapstead wrote that Ukad “found no formal processes or procedures” to record the purchase or use of medical supplies.

She added: “The medical room at the Manchester Velodrome was chaotic and disorganised – there was no apparent filing system and papers were just piled up in cupboards and filing cabinets... Electronic records were not kept by British cycling nor was there any back-up system.”

The letter also highlighted the intertwined nature of British Cycling and Team Sky, and claimed that at times it was “impossible” to ascertain which one medical staff worked for.

Ukad delivered a series of recommendations before concluding that its investigation was “hindered” by British Cycling. It acknowledged the steps which have since been taken to address the issues.

British Cycling responded with a letter a month later stating: “The British Cycling Board accepted all of the report’s key recommendations which are now being implemented.”

And on Friday British Cycling released a statement stressing the progress it has made. ”British Cycling has made a number of significant changes to the provision of medical services to the Great Britain Cycling Team.

“All of the recommendations of a review commissioned in April 2017 have been implemented. This review was in response to initial findings by Ukad given to the Culture, Media and Sport Select Committee in March 2017.

“We continue to partner and support UKAD in the important work it conducts to keep sport clean.”

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