Twitter reacts to Team Sky medical package revelations
Social media reaction to the big Fluimucil news of the day
So there we have it. The mystery package delivered to Team Sky and Bradley Wiggins at the 2011 Critérium du Dauphiné contained, according to what a team doctor told Dave Brailsford, Fluimucil.
That the package that has been the centre of much speculation over the last few months contained a legal drug to treat a chest infection wasn't the most dramatic revelation. But at least we now know.
>>> Bradley Wiggins makes light of package controversy with cryptic 'Braveheart' Instagram post
Those of you who watched the whole four hour hearing will know that it wasn't always the most riveting affair, but thankfully the good people of Twitter were there to lighten the mood, provide rushed analysis, and turn into instant pharmaceutical experts.
As a hors d'oeuvre to the Brailsford main course, we had British Cycling president Bob Howden on the ropes about why he hadn't made any investigations into the contents of the package.
Former Team Sky head coach and British Cycling technical director Shane Sutton was next to give evidence, first revealing that he had arranged the delivery of the package to Wiggins, and then reacting with disdain when one MP suggested that he should apologise for referring to female riders "bitches".
But the reason we were all here was to find out what was in that package. And in a very matter of fact way Brailsford told us that it was Fluimucil.
Get The Leadout Newsletter
The latest race content, interviews, features, reviews and expert buying guides, direct to your inbox!
Flu-ma-what? Cycling Weekly's very own editor was one of many needing to quickly Google a drug that none of us had ever heard of.
Yes, something like that.
Two minutes later, and we were all up to speed with the fact that Fluimucil helps to clear mucus and is used to treat chest infections.
The thing is that according to one internet source, Fluimucil should be used with precaution by asthma suffers, which raised a few questions given that Wiggins is asthmatic.
The next question was why Team Sky had chosen to fly the drug 2,000km from Manchester when it is freely available over the counter in France.
However Dr Hutch for one wasn't surprised at the decision.
But with such a seemingly innocuous conclusion, we were all left scratching our head as to why Brailsford and Team Sky didn't tell us that it was Fluimucil in the first place.
Thank you for reading 20 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.
-
Forget distance covered, these are the key stats to note in your Strava Year in Sport
We asked a coach how to best analyse our end of year Strava data
By Tom Davidson Published
-
'She should show a bit more respect' - Lotte Kopecky responds to Demi Vollering comments
The pair seemingly had one last fractious year together at SD Worx-Protime in 2024
By Tom Davidson Published
-
Tom Pidcock to remain 'part of the Pinarello family' after joining Q36.5 Pro Cycling
British star will continue to ride Pinarello bikes after leaving Ineos Grenadiers
By Tom Thewlis Published
-
Ineos Grenadiers hire new head of engineering as reshuffle continues
Former British Cycling lead, Dr Billy Fitton, is the latest of a handful of new appointments within the British squad
By Tom Davidson Published
-
Overachiever: Cameron Wurf competed in the Amstel Gold, La Flèche Wallonne and an Ironman, all in just eight days
Cameron Wurf is both a member of Team Ineos Grenadiers and an accomplished professional long course triathlete who has racked up numerous World Tour and Ironman race finishes across his career.
By Kristin Jenny Published
-
‘I feel lucky to be alive’: Magnus Sheffield speaks for the first time about Gino Mäder’s fatal crash
The American describes what he saw at the Tour de Suisse, eight months after the tragedy
By Tom Davidson Published
-
Tom Pidcock: Tour of Britain route 'not really ideal for me'
Brit says he wants to win home stage race, even if the course plays in Wout van Aert's favour
By Tom Davidson Published
-
This 39-year-old INEOS Grenadiers rider moonlights as a pro triathlete
A Jack of all trades, Cameron Wurf is a domestique for INEOS Grenadiers professional cycling team, but doubles as a successful pro triathlete.
By Kristin Jenny Published
-
Ineos Grenadiers' only female rider Pauline Ferrand-Prévot eyes road return
Mountain bike legend could be back in the peloton next year
By Tom Davidson Published
-
Egan Bernal has nose operation to help 'air passage' ahead of 2023
Procedure not thought to be connected to the life-threatening crash which affected Colombian last year
By Adam Becket Published