BBC documentary to go inside British Cycling, asking at what cost all those medals were won
Britain's Cycling Superheroes: The Price of Success? will air on BBC Two on Sunday night

The inner workings of British Cycling will be examined in a BBC documentary to be broadcast on Sunday, which promises to reveal how the organisation has delivered so many medals, and also question at what cost those medals have been won.
The documentary, entitled Britain's Cycling Superheroes: The Price of Success?, will be broadcast on BBC Two on Sunday, November 19, and promises exclusive interviews with key figures in the British Cycling story, including former performance director Dave Brailsford and former technical director Shane Sutton.
>>> Shane Sutton: 'I was loved by the staff' at British Cycling
Both men, and other insiders at British Cycling will tell the story of the success that has seen British riders win 38 Olympic medals in the past three Olympic Games, and also respond to the critics who have questioned whether this success was worth it as the organisation faces questions over bullying and discrimination, and the inconclusive UKAD investigation into the Jiffy bag package.
As well as giving Brailsford and Sutton a chance to respond to criticism of the regime that they presided over at British Cycling, the programme will also hear from the likes of six-time Paralympic gold medallist Darren Kenny, who was one of the first to allege that Sutton had used discriminatory terms to refer to para-cyclists.
>>> Jess Varnish: Way clear for former Olympic sprinter to sue British Cycling and UK Sport
There is also involvement from riders with experience of the inner workings of British Cycling, including Emma Pooley and David Millar, Steve Peters, the former psychiatrist at British Cycling, and journalists who have tracked rise of British Cycling through the last 15 years and covered the whirlwind of controversy that it has found itself in over the past 18 months.
Unsurprisingly this isn't the first documentary to look at the remarkable story of British Cycling, with Sky airing a five-part documentary called British Cycling: Road to Glory and a one-off programme called Bradley Wiggins: Tour Of Duty in the wake of Wiggin's Tour de France win and British Cycling's success at the London Olympics in 2012.
Thank you for reading 5 articles this month* Join now for unlimited access
Enjoy your first month for just £1 / $1 / €1
*Read 5 free articles per month without a subscription
Join now for unlimited access
Try first month for just £1 / $1 / €1
Henry Robertshaw began his time at Cycling Weekly working with the tech team, writing reviews, buying guides and appearing in videos advising on how to dress for the seasons. He later moved over to the news team, where his work focused on the professional peloton as well as legislation and provision for cycling. He's since moved his career in a new direction, with a role at the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs.
-
-
Tour de France bikes: winning machines from the last ten years
Nine of the ten bikes came from Italian manufacturers
By Michelle Arthurs-Brennan • Published
-
Copenhagen: the Tour de France's ride through history
Get set for this year's Grand Départ in Denmark and immerse yourself in the cycling city
By Tom Thewlis • Published
-
'British Cycling pulled trans policy because of public pressure' — Emily Bridges
Cyclist said she received threats of physical violence after Boris Johnson said trans women should not compete in women's events
By Adam Becket • Published
-
British Cycling receives £26.6m investment from Sport England
British Cycling will focus on increasing participation in the sport by tackling inequalities and issues of access into cycling
By Ryan Dabbs • Published
-
British Cycling call for Russian and Belarusian riders to be suspended from races after invasion of Ukraine
UK's governing body urged UCI to stop Russian and Belarusian riders from competing
By Adam Becket • Published
-
British Cycling announces team for UCI Cycling E-sports World Championships on Zwift
The line-up features 10 women and five men all competing for equal prize money and to become world champion
By Ryan Dabbs • Published
-
British Cycling announces 2022 calendar for National Road Series and National Circuit Series
The National Road Series begins on May 8, while the National Circuit Series gets underway on June 29
By Ryan Dabbs • Published
-
Olympic gold medal sprinter Phil Hindes announces retirement at 29
Hindes was an essential part of the GB team sprint squad, winning gold in London 2012 and Rio 2016
By Alex Ballinger • Published
-
British Paralympic hopeful cyclist banned for three years for doping offence
Erin McBride, who joined the British Cycling team after switching from athletics this year, tested positive for a banned substance
By Alex Ballinger • Published
-
British Cycling staff carried out unauthorised doping tests in 2011, investigation confirms
The World Anti-Doping Agency has released its report into alleged wrongdoing at British Cycling and UK Anti-Doping
By Alex Ballinger • Published