The businessman sponsoring Ineos Grenadiers has expressed his support for Dave Brailsford, saying the Testogel controversy in British cycling was from 10 years ago and he knew and trusted the team's riders.
Jim Ratcliffe said he did not believe the riders in the team now, or Chris Froome who was in the team until last year, had done anything wrong.
“This happened what, 10 years ago?” Ratcliffe told Telegraph Sport of the verdict against Dr Richard Freeman relating to the order of Testogels to the British Cycling and Team Sky based in Manchester in 2011.
Ratcliffe added that everyone had “antenna” – meaning an instinct triggered by suspicion. But his was not triggered by Dave Brailsford or the riders.
“My antenna doesn't start pinging away when I'm chatting today to Dave. Quite the opposite," Ratcliffe said. "I also know the riders. I know Chris Froome, I know Egan (Bernal) and Geraint (Thomas). I’d be astonished if there’s any of that going on.
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“I like Dave. I think he's a very straightforward northerner. I think he's accomplished a lot. When I look at how meticulous Dave is. The marginal gains stuff isn't fiction. He is a workaholic."
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He added Brailsford had his “full support” and that would not change unless something emerged that he was “shocked by”.
Richard Freeman, a doctor who worked for British Cycling
and Team Sky, now Ineos Grenadiers, was
two weeks ago found guilty of ordering Testogel sachets – a testosterone product
– knowing or believing they were to be used to boost the performance of an
athlete.
The sachets were ordered to the British Cycling and Team Sky base in Manchester in 2011. Freeman said he was bullied into ordering the testosterone sachets by then cycling coach Shane Sutton to treat erectile dysfunction; something which Sutton strongly denied.
However, while Freeman was found guilty at a medical hearing of ordering the sachets knowing or believing they were for an athlete's performance gain he has strenuously denied any involvement in cheating. He has been struck off and also faces a UK Anti Doping inquiry.
Ineos Grenadiers also issued a statement after the Freeman verdict saying it did not believe any rider ever cheated or tried to cheat.
When Jim Ratcliffe took over the sponsorship of Ineos Grenadiers – from Sky – two years ago he said if any doping issues ever emerged he would pull out.
He clarified at the time he was speaking about any issues arising from the date he took over, rather than historical issues. And while he has now said his position has not changed, he did not believe any of the riders had ever cheated.
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