UCI chief wants investigation into Team Sky doping findings
AIGLE, Switzerland (AP) - The head of cycling's world governing body wants an investigation into the findings of a doping report that accused Team Sky of using drugs to enhance the performance of Bradley Wiggins and possibly other riders ahead of the 2012 Tour de France.
UCI President David Lappartient says he would like his organization's independent anti-doping division to "see if there is some violation of anti-doping rules."
A British parliamentary committee said in a doping investigation report, published on Monday, that Team Sky crossed an "ethical line" in 2012 by seeking a therapeutic use exemption for Wiggins to take a banned steroid "not to treat medical need but to improve his power to weight ratio."
FILE - In this Tuesday, May 14, 2013 file photo Britain's Bradley Wiggins, second from right, pedals during the the 10th stage of the Giro d'Italia, Tour of Italy cycling race, from Cordenons to Altopiano del Montasio. A British parliamentary committee says in a doping investigation report that Bradley Wiggins used a banned powerful corticosteroid to enhance his performance and not for medical reasons while winning the Tour de France in 2012. The report accuses Team Sky of crossing an "ethical line" after preaching zero tolerance. Team Sky criticized "the anonymous and potentially malicious claim" by members of parliament.(AP Photo/Fabio Ferrari, File)
Wiggins went on to win the Tour de France that year.
Wiggins and Team Sky have both denied the accusations, saying any medication used was for legitimate reasons and within UCI and World Anti-Doping Agency rules.
In an interview with the BBC on Wednesday, Lappartient says the findings of the report "could affect the global credibility of the sport."
Responding to Lappartient's comments, Team Sky said it was "happy to co-operate with any investigation by the UCI and we would welcome further scrutiny of the select committee's report."
A team statement said: "While we have acknowledged past failings, we strongly deny the very serious new allegations about the use of medication to enhance performance, as does Bradley Wiggins.
"Furthermore, we are concerned that the committee presented these unsubstantiated allegations without providing evidence to support them, which is fundamentally unfair to the team and its riders. We welcome any review by the UCI which can help establish the nature of the evidence relied on by the committee in coming to its conclusions."
