UK Anti-Doping says 'jiffy bag' case will remain closed unless 'new information comes to light'
UKAD gives its response to the House of Commons Digital, Culture, Media and Sport Committee report into doping in sport. It wants to see triamcinolone and tramadol banned
- (opens in new tab)
- (opens in new tab)
- (opens in new tab)
- Sign up to our newsletter Newsletter

UK Anti-Doping has given its official response to the House of Commons Digital, Culture, Media and Sport Committee report 'Combatting Doping in Sport', and says that it will not be re-opening the Team Sky 'jiffy bag' case unless new information come to light.
UKAD is responsible for protecting all sport in the UK from doping, and the organisation's chief executive Nicole Sapstead was one of those who gave evidence during the DCMS Select Committee hearings.
Sapstead confirmed in a statement issued on Monday that UKAD's investigation into a mystery package, sometimes referred to as the 'jiffy bag', delivered to Team Sky during the 2011 Critérium du Dauphiné "concluded with no anti-doping rule violations issued".
However, Sapstead has not ruled out re-opening the investigation should any new evidence surface. "As with all investigations, UKAD may revisit matters if new material and information were to come to light but we are no longer actively following any lines of enquiry in relation to this matter. UKAD will not comment further in relation to this," said Sapstead.
>>> Bradley Wiggins: ‘I strongly refute the claim that any drug was used without medical need’
The DCMS Committee concluded in its report that it could not determine the contents of the package due to lack of evidence.
Team Sky was criticised in the report for the use of corticosteroid triamcinolone, which was administered to Bradley Wiggins ahead of the 2011 and 2012 Tour de France, and the 2013 Giro d'Italia. Wiggins became the first British rider to win the Tour in 2012.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vsSPiZuLiug
The Committee said: "We believe that this powerful corticosteroid was being used to prepare Bradley Wiggins, and possibly other riders supporting him, for the Tour de France. The purpose of this was not to treat medical need, but to improve his power to weight ratio ahead of the race."
It later continued: "In this case, and contrary to the testimony of David Brailsford in front of the Committee, we believe that drugs were being used by Team Sky, within the WADA rules, to enhance the performance of riders, and not just to treat medical need."
Both Team Sky and Wiggins refute that any substance was used without a legitimate medical requirement.
Triamcinolone is currently only banned in-competition, but UKAD says that it would like to see it banned completely. It would also like to see powerful painkiller tramadol added to the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) prohibited list.
UKAD has welcomed an additional £6.1million in funding over the next two years to help in its fight against doping.
"This report is a very helpful step forward in the fight for clean sport and we applaud the Committee for bringing a number of issues to light and we hope it will further encourage sports to do all they can to ensure anti-doping remains a top priority in order to protect the integrity of sport," said Sapstead.
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
Nigel Wynn worked as associate editor on CyclingWeekly.com, he worked almost single-handedly on the Cycling Weekly website in its early days. His passion for cycling, his writing and his creativity, as well as his hard work and dedication, were the original driving force behind the website’s success. Without him, CyclingWeekly.com would certainly not exist on the size and scale that it enjoys today. Nigel sadly passed away, following a brave battle with a cancer-related illness, in 2018. He was a highly valued colleague, and more importantly, n exceptional person to work with - his presence is sorely missed.
-
-
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
-
Primož Roglič powers to victory on stage five of the Volta a Catalunya
Roglič extends his lead over Remco Evenepoel in the overall classification
By Tom Thewlis • Published
-
"Failing that drug test was the best thing that had ever happened to me"
Abuse victim and disgraced cycling champion Geneviève Jeanson finds solace in return to bike racing
By Anne-Marije Rook • Published
-
29 cases of alleged doping recorded in cycling in 2022, but only one at WorldTour
Most came from semi-professional ranks, MPCC finds
By Tom Davidson • Published
-
Spanish police crack down on doping ring, former Kelme coach questioned
Miguel Ángel López denies any involvement in statement
By Adam Becket • Last updated
-
UCI suspends continental team's licence due to doping investigation
W52-FC Porto cannot compete in any races after an investigation conducted by the Anti-Doping Authority of Portugal
By Ryan Dabbs • Last updated
-
Trial begins into French doctor and two others accused of attempting to dope cyclists
Bernand Sainz has been involved in cycling circles for the best part of six decades
By Chris Marshall-Bell • Published
-
Johan Bruyneel: 'Lance Armstrong was the perfect target to be sacrificed' to clean up cycling
The former rider and team boss says in his era the choice was 'either you adapt and you dope yourself, or you disappear'
By Jonny Long • 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
-
Two Italian cyclists banned following doping violations
One was an amateur time trial champion
By Jonny Long • Published