Jess Varnish 'relieved' that British Cycling uphold her claims against Shane Sutton
Jess Varnish hopes that British Cycling's investigation will pave the way for a better environment for its athletes.
- (opens in new tab)
- (opens in new tab)
- (opens in new tab)
- Sign up to our newsletter Newsletter

Jess Varnish has expressed her relief in the news that British Cycling upheld her claims that Shane Sutton used "inappropriate and discriminatory language" towards her.
The national governing body released its findings from an internal investigation on Friday (October 28), six months after former Great Britain track sprinter Varnish alleged that Sutton told her "to go and have a baby" and said that she had a "fat arse". Sutton was suspended by British Cycling pending the investigation and subsequently resigned.
The in-house investigation is to be followed by an independent review, jointly commissioned by BC and UK Sport, that will review the culture within the organisation.
"I spoke out because I wanted to shine a light on the culture at British Cycling, a culture that in my mind was incorrect," Varnish, writing on her personal website, said.
"I’m relieved that the British Cycling board have acknowledged that the language used towards me was inappropriate and discriminatory and I would like to thank those involved and those that contributed to the investigation for their time and effort.
"I’ve always believed in standing up for yourself, especially when you know things are wrong. It wasn’t easy for me to talk about this experience and I could’ve quite easily said and done nothing, but that isn’t me.
"I’ve always given 100 per cent to my sport, and am still in love with cycling, so I hope that British Cycling can use this investigation as a way to improve and create a better environment for the Great Britain team."
The findings mean that Sutton is now highly unlikely to be re-employed by BC, and his wife, Abbie, took to Twitter on Friday evening to condemn the report and alleged that Varnish was a "liar". She has since deleted the post.
The independent review is expected to report back before the end of this year.
Thank you for reading 10 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
Chris first started writing for Cycling Weekly in 2013 on work experience and has since become a regular name in the magazine and on the website. Reporting from races, long interviews with riders from the peloton and riding features drive his love of writing about all things two wheels.
Probably a bit too obsessed with mountains, he was previously found playing and guiding in the Canadian Rockies, and now mostly lives in the Val d’Aran in the Spanish Pyrenees where he’s a ski instructor in the winter and cycling guide in the summer. He almost certainly holds the record for the most number of interviews conducted from snowy mountains.
-
-
Remco Evenepoel sends verbal warning to his 'idol' Primož Roglič after quadruple Volta a Catalunya showdown
It's 2-1 to Roglič after a neck-and-neck fight at the Volta a Catalunya, but Evenepoel isn't short of confidence
By Chris Marshall-Bell • Published
-
How E3 showed us what Van Aert, Van der Poel and Pogačar need to do to win the Tour of Flanders
Wout van Aert might have won on Friday, but everything could change next Sunday
By Adam Becket • Published
-
British Cycling names four new Hall of Fame inductees
The quartet's achievements were recognised at an awards dinner in Manchester on Saturday
By Tom Davidson • Published
-
'I have bigger things to care about now’ - Team GB’s new mothers on their return to racing
Elinor Barker and Katy Marchant are excited to be back on the big stage, and have set their sights on the Olympics
By Tom Davidson • Published
-
Extinction Rebellion stages anti-Shell protest at British Track Champs
Two people carried a banner through the stands at Newport's Geraint Thomas National Velodrome
By Vern Pitt • Published
-
Inside British Cycling's £1 wind tunnel
Cycling Weekly goes behind the scenes of the new medal factory on British Cycling's doorstep
By Tom Davidson • Published
-
Brian Cookson says British Cycling has been ‘damaged’ by outsiders with ‘no real knowledge’ of cycling
Former president of UK cycling governing body says current leadership has ‘no empathy’ with people who ‘make cycling happen’
By Tom Thewlis • Published
-
CW LIVE: Primož Roglič confirmed for Giro d'Italia 2023; Track rider hits 2,271 watts; NCL announces first two teams; Van Aert to ride cyclo-cross Worlds; Sram and Oakley team up with Jumbo-Visma; Rwanda unveils pump track: Evenepoel eyes Pogačar showdown
Join us as we round up the day's cycling news
By Tom Davidson • Last updated
-
British National Road Series to shrink in 2023
The UK’s domestic scene will see fewer top-flight road events next season, while the Circuit Series grows
By Tom Davidson • Published
-
Five things the next CEO of British Cycling needs to tackle including image repair
There is a vacancy at the top of the sport in the UK, with the in-tray of problems building
By Adam Becket • Published