British Cycling brand Freeman guilty verdict 'extremely disturbing'
"This is a day for sober reflection," says the governing body
- (opens in new tab)
- (opens in new tab)
- (opens in new tab)
- Sign up to our newsletter Newsletter

British Cycling has described Dr Richard Freeman being found guilty of ordering testosterone ‘knowing or believing’ it was for performance enhancement as "extremely disturbing", and that his actions fell "a mile short" of what the governing body expects.
After UK Anti-Doping banned Freeman from all sports following the tribunal's verdict, British Cycling issued a statement saying it is a day for "sober reflection".
"The verdict of the panel confirms British Cycling’s own findings that he had failed in his duties as a doctorand supports our decision to refer him to the GMC for further investigation," British Cycling CEO Brian Facer said in a statement.
"The finding that the 2011 delivery of testosterone gel was intended for the illegal enhancement of a rider’s performance is extremely disturbing. We leave any further action in respect of this to UK Anti-Doping, whose work will have our wholehearted support.
"This is a day for sober reflection and we know thatwill be felt by the thousands of people who race their bikes in this country and love our sport, from the Great Britain Cycling Team to the grassroots. We also know that they will share our view that all those who work in our sport must adhere to the highest standards of ethical behaviour."
British Cycling says that since the end of Freeman's eight-year employment a number of changes have been made to improve the medical service provided to riders as well as to the organisation's governance.
These include obtaining CQC status, which means the medical team is held to the same standard as hospitals are, the introduction of a new Code of Conduct for all medical and performance support staff, as well as the establishment of an Integrity Committee.
"The wider actions of Dr Freeman described in the tribunal fall a mile short of the standards we expect," Facer continued. "Since suspending Dr Freeman from his employment by British Cycling four years ago, we have made substantial changes to the way we provide medical services to riders competing for Great Britain,amid much wider improvements to our governance which we believe now put us at the forefront of our sector."
The guilty verdict comes almost two years after the tribunal began, having been subject to countless delays, with another hearing scheduled for March 17 to decide if Freeman is struck off as a medical practitioner.
One British MP has also called for Dave Brailsford to be suspended from his role as boss of the Ineos Grenadiers pending a full investigation, while the WorldTour team have distanced themselves from the doctor who was employed by them from 2009 to 2015, saying they don't believe any athlete ever used or sought to use the banned Testogel that had been ordered.
"The Team fully supports the work of the GMC and it is very clear from their report that Richard Freeman fell short of the ethical standards required of him as a doctor and acted dishonestly," the Ineos statement read.
"However the Team does not believe that any athlete ever used or sought to use Testogel or any other performance-enhancing substance. No evidence has been provided that this ever happened or that there has been any wrongdoing by any athlete at any point."
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
Hi. I'm Cycling Weekly's Weekend Editor. I like writing offbeat features and eating too much bread when working out on the road at bike races.
Before joining Cycling Weekly I worked at The Tab and I've also written for Vice, Time Out, and worked freelance for The Telegraph (I know, but I needed the money at the time so let me live).
I also worked for ITV Cycling between 2011-2018 on their Tour de France and Vuelta a España coverage. Sometimes I'd be helping the producers make the programme and other times I'd be getting the lunches. Just in case you were wondering - Phil Liggett and Paul Sherwen had the same ham sandwich every day, it was great.
-
-
20 year-old sprints to clean sweep at British Track Champs
Emma Finucane wins two titles on the closing day of the championships
By Vern Pitt • Published
-
Marius Mayrhofer pulls off surprise win at Cadel Evans Great Ocean Road Race
DSM rider breaks down with emotion after he crosses the finish line
By Stephen Puddicombe • Published
-
Global backers in talks over new British WorldTour team
Former management of Ribble Weldtite courting interest in new project
By Tom Thewlis • Published
-
'I remember the crowds more than anything': Tom Pidcock recalls his Alpe d'Huez Tour de France stage win
Our male rider of the year, Tom Pidcock, talks us through the highs and lows of his 2022 campaign
By Tom Thewlis • Published
-
Leo Hayter, Cycling Weekly's rising star of 2022, talks through his season in the spotlight
We caught up with the winner of the "Baby Giro" to hear all about the win in Italy and his dream move to Ineos Grenadiers
By Tom Thewlis • Published
-
Ineos Grenadiers release 'visibly fast' 2023 jersey
Navy is replaced with red as British team changes its look
By Adam Becket • Published
-
Where next for Mark Cavendish after B & B Hotels-KTM's collapse?
We look at where the ‘Manx Missile’ could find himself next after the collapse of B & B Hotels-KTM
By Tom Thewlis • Published
-
'Chris Hoy said the British coaches may be kicking themselves’ - Britain’s lost track cycling champion
British-born Australian Matthew Richardson has fast become one of the world's best track sprinters
By Tom Davidson • Published
-
‘It’s a good thing and shows progression of the sport’ - Ben Swift hails changes at British Cycling academy
Ineos Grenadier says putting academy riders in with development teams will encourage development of many skills
By Tom Thewlis • Published
-
Academy programme where Mark Cavendish and Geraint Thomas started is cut back
British Cycling academy to work with development teams to provide riders with more exposure to top level racing
By Tom Thewlis • Last updated