UK Sport calls for British Cycling to investigate allegations of kit being sold online for profit
British Cycling has been instructed by UK Sport to conduct an investigation into allegations of official kit, including a bike, being sold online for profit


The latest race content, interviews, features, reviews and expert buying guides, direct to your inbox!
Thank you for signing up to The Pick. You will receive a verification email shortly.
There was a problem. Please refresh the page and try again.
UK Sport are asking for an investigation into claims that British Cycling's kit was being sold online for profit, according to reports in the Daily Mail. The news comes in the wake of Shane Sutton's resignation as technical director.
Skin suits to £10,000 bicycles – paid for with National Lottery money – were allegedly sold on the internet. At the time this article was published, British Cycling and UK Sport had not yet responded to Cycling Weekly regarding the claims.
>>> What you need to know about the British Cycling discrimination scandal
A UK Sport spokesman told the Daily Mail overnight, "We have asked British Cycling to investigate as a matter of urgency because it is vital we protect our investment."
The news comes just one day after Sutton stepped down as technical director of British Cycling following claims that he made derogatory towards female and para-cyclists.
Cycling is the most funded UK sport behind rowing. UK Sport gives cycling £30,517,816 in the four-year period, from 2013 to 2017, of the Rio de Janeiro Olympics. It is unclear where the sales profits would have landed if the kit was sold online.
In May of 2015, British Cycling switched from Pinarello to Cervélo bicycles. The bicycles are estimated to be worth five figures. High-performance skin suits made for the team were available on eBay for £99, the report also suggested.
"Official" track skin suits are currently available on eBay for £99.99, but it is unclear if they are directly from British Cycling or a proper outlet.
The independent probe launched after Jess Varnish and others made claims against Sutton will also reportedly investigate the kit issue.
Sutton said yesterday that "it is in the best interests of British Cycling for me to step down" because "developments over the past few days have clearly become a distraction."
His next move is unclear. The Daily Mail suggests it might not be a rushed one as it understands Sutton is still on a retainer from team Sky worth "thousands of pounds a month."
He left as head coach of Sky in 2013 to focus on British Cycling. Team Sky told the newspaper, "Shane has maintained an involvement in the team. We do not release details of the salaries of anyone employed by, or previously employed by, Team Sky."
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
Get The Leadout Newsletter
The latest race content, interviews, features, reviews and expert buying guides, direct to your inbox!
Gregor Brown is an experienced cycling journalist, based in Florence, Italy. He has covered races all over the world for over a decade - following the Giro, Tour de France, and every major race since 2006. His love of cycling began with freestyle and BMX, before the 1998 Tour de France led him to a deep appreciation of the road racing season.
-
-
‘A gateway of just how far their dreams and a bike can take them’ - Los Angeles’ first-ever pump track is now open
Los Angeles’ first-ever pump track opened to the public on Friday, September 22, after two years of construction.
By Kristin Jenny Published
-
UK cycle tech falls by a third, with bikes sales also struggling, says industry report
The cycle industry continues to face challenges, with tech in freefall and even ebikes lagging behind the rest of Europe
By James Shrubsall Published
-
Joe Blackmore and Xan Crees win British Gravel Championships
Young duo topple favourites in Suffolk to claim national titles
By Tom Davidson Published
-
'We had to be clever' - Great Britain seal late silver in men’s Madison at World Championships
British duo Ollie Wood and Mark Stewart see patience rewarded in Glasgow, narrowly missing out on gold
By Tom Davidson Published
-
Track gold rush for Great Britain on day two of the World Championships
Hosts take four new para-cycling titles, while the USA also continue track success
By Tom Davidson Published
-
'Pure happiness': Pfeiffer Georgi conquers the pressure to take second British national title
The 22-year-old dealt a killer blow with her attack on the final climb
By Tom Davidson Published
-
Tough Redcar and Cleveland course for British National Championships
North East region also set to host round of the National Road Series
By Tom Thewlis Published
-
'If in doubt, sit them out': British Cycling releases concussion guidance for riders
Anyone with even the mildest concussion symptoms will be advised to return to competition for at least 21 days
By Adam Becket Published
-
Lotus working on second generation of Olympic gold medal winning British Cycling bike
UK automotive engineering giant is joined by hi-spec engineering firm Renishaw
By Vern Pitt Published
-
'Just don't wreck yourself' - Fred Wright on his GB track gamble and the Olympics
The Bahrain Victorious rider is set to compete at the European Track Championships next week
By Tom Davidson Published