Home > News

Team Sky riders Tweet their 100 per cent, even 110 per cent, support for Dave Brailsford

Despite reports riders were discussing considering asking for Sky boss's resignation

March 6, 2017
Share on SMS

In response to increased scrutiny on Team Sky and in particular general manager Dave Brailsford, riders for the British WorldTour outfit have turned to social media to voice their support for their boss. Brailsford and Team Sky have been in the spotlight for all the wrong reasons lately. During the summer, it was revealed Bradley Wiggins had received questionable therapeutic use exemptions ahead of three Grand Tours and last week the UK Anti-Doping announced they were launching a full investigation into Team Sky.

The investigation relates to the delivery of a medical package in 2011 that was transported from Manchester, Britain to France to treat Bradley Wiggins who was racing the Critérium du Dauphiné. The team’s credibility has come under fire and on Monday afternoon Cyclingnews published a story citing an unnamed rider who said discussions were taking place amongst the team’s riders on the possibility of internally requesting for Brailsford’ resignation.

RELATED: Lance Armstrong pokes fun at U.S. Postal Service on Instagram

“There is a concern over the impact that this may have on the current season and the distraction it is all causing for Dave Brailsford and the other management,” the unnamed Team Sky rider reportedly told Cyclingnews.

“With a team that is so focused on details, things are starting to slip through the cracks because people’s attentions are elsewhere,” the rider elaborated.

“No one in the team, currently, is involved in this controversy other than Dave. What’s it going to take for the team to get on with racing?”

The team has been unable to provide medical paperwork that the package delivered to Wiggins contained an over-the-counter decongestant Fluimucil. There have been allegations the package contained Kenalog, a powerful steroid also known as triamcinoline which Wiggins received TUEs for three times in his career leading to Grand Tours.

RELATED: Romain Bardet graciously accepts disqualification from Paris-Nice for holding on to team car

The Guardian reported that Freeman had also taken delivery of testosterone – a substance banned both in and out of competition – in 2011. According to the Sunday Times, the order was a mistake and was immediately sent back to the pharmaceutical agency.

There are also allegations that Team Sky doctor Richard Freeman received far more vials of Kenalog that was required by one rider and when asked by UKAD he was unable to provide medical records. The Guardian also reported that Freeman received a delivery of testosterone in 2011 but reportedly the order was a mistake and was sent back. The cumulative effect of this scrutiny has led some to question where Brailsford needs to take a step back from the team until the matter surrounding the investigation are resolved.

However, despite the Cyclingnews report Team Sky riders Luke Rowe, Geraint Thomas, Owain Doull, Tao Geoghegan Hart, Strade Bianche Michal Kwiatkowski, Elia Viviani and Peter Kennaugh all voiced their full support for their boss.