British Cycling announces partnership with UK Anti-Doping

British Cycling is continuing to rebuild its reputation by announcing a partnership with UK Anti-Doping. Credit: PA

British Cycling is continuing to rebuild its reputation by announcing a partnership with UK Anti-Doping.

Cycling's national governing body was rebuked in a damning assessment in the Digital, Culture, Media and Sport Committee's report into 'Combatting Doping in Sport', which was published in March.

The report had more scathing criticisms for Team Sky over medical practice and record-keeping in the two organisations, which share the same headquarters at the National Cycling Centre in Manchester.

One of the conclusions from the report was that Team Sky riders were treated with corticosteroids outside of competition to lose weight. Team Sky deny the claims, made based on witness testimony to DCMS.

British Cycling has been addressing its anti-doping and medical procedures since the issues came to light in 2016 and has now announced a formal relationship with UKAD.

It is the first partnership of its kind, the organisations said.

"The two organisations will work together to create innovative strategies to tackle cheats, and ensure public faith in cycling," British Cycling said.

It is the first partnership of its kind, the organisations said. Credit: PA

The partnership includes heightening awareness through education and communication, greater compliance procedures and "increasing investment in testing, including in-competition at flagship events".

British Cycling chair Frank Slevin said: "Our athletes, members, funders and the public deserve to have confidence in the cleanliness of the sport that they love, which is why we are proud to have initiated this partnership with UKAD today.

"It is vital that we begin to anticipate what will be needed to take forward the fight against doping in sport in the future, and we are delighted to be standing side by side with UKAD as we begin to tackle these issues and challenges together."

UKAD chair Trevor Pearce added: "We are keen to work in collaboration with national governing bodies and this demonstrates the commitment we share to tackle doping in sport.

"With the development of our new assurance framework as a key part of our new four-year strategy, which is effectively a 'MOT', this is an important step from British Cycling towards meeting the criteria."