Team Sky search for new medical chief as testosterone investigation continues
13 November 2018 11:30
Team Sky are reportedly searching for a new clinical director as they brace themselves for the outcome of the British General Medical Council investigation into former team doctor Richard Freeman and a delivery of testosterone patches to the Manchester headquarters that the team shared with British Cycling. According to a report in the Daily Mail, Richard Usher has been appointed interim medical director to allow Team Sky to find a new clinical director. Former medical chief Steve Peters is now listed simply as 'psychiatrist' on the Team Sky website. The Daily Mail suggests Team Sky are looking for a clinical director without previous links to cycling after being criticised for hiring former Rabobank doctor Geert Leinders in 2011. Leinders was later banned for life by the US Anti-Doping Agency (USADA). Team Sky have been fighting to defend their reputation since allegations of wrongdoing arose in 2016. No doping charges were eventually made against Bradley Wiggins, Team Sky and British Cycling over the so-called Jiffy bag package and other allegations, but Team Sky and British Cycling faced criticism from both UK Anti-Doping and British MPs for their poorly organised medical practices.ADVERTISEMENT Team Sky denied giving banned substances to riders for non-medical reasons but the Parliamentary Digital, Culture, Media and Sports Committee concluded that they had 'crossed an ethical line'. Team Sky manager Dave Brailsford has always refused to comment on the outcome of the DCMS investigation. Freeman is set to face a GMC medical tribunal in the New Year concerning the 2011 delivery of testosterone patches to the British Cycling and Team Sky headquarters. The Medical Practitioners Tribunal Service (MPTS) could punish him with a suspension or remove him from the medical register. British Cycling is a co-complainant in the GMC inquiry but is concerned about the fallout from the case. A spokesman said they "referred concerns in relation to Dr Richard Freeman's fitness to practice" to the GMC and "continue to support its on-going investigation".
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