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Former British Cycling and Team Sky chief physician Richard Freeman insists that he “has never doped a cyclist” after revealing his shock over a Physicians’ Court (MPT) ruling for ordering a testosterone ban.
Dr Freeman had admitted 18 of the 22 charges against him related to ordering a Testogel pack from British Cycling headquarters in 2011, but denied the central charge regarding its purpose.
The case was brought by the General Medical Council (GMC) and Freeman’s former employers, but there is no doubt that this is another major blow to the reputation of Britain’s flagship Olympic sport.
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After a hearing that lasted more than two years, the MPT issued decisions on the contested charges on Friday (Saturday NZT).
The court found that Dr. Freeman had ordered testosterone knowing or believing it was to drug a cyclist.
In making its decision, the court said that Dr. Freeman’s evidence was “implausible” and “dishonest” and that his conduct was “incapable of an innocent explanation.”
Dr Freeman claimed that he had been intimidated into ordering testosterone to treat erectile dysfunction from former acting director Shane Sutton, which the Australian strenuously denied on an explosive day of testimony in 2019 in which he called the doctor a “no-nonsense individual. thorns “.
Eleanor Crooks / AP
Former British Cycling and Team Sky doctor Richard Freeman insists that “never in my life have I doped a cyclist.”
Sutton, who left British Cycling in 2016 after allegations of sexism and discriminatory comments, was enraged before completing his test, but the court found him to be a credible and consistent witness.
In a long interview with him Mail on Sunday, Dr. Freeman again maintained that he was not a drug addict.
“It’s so disappointing. It’s unbelievable,” Dr. Freeman said of the court’s ruling.
“I have never doped a rider in my life. I have yet to see some evidence of who this rider was supposed to be.
“I accept that there are people who do not believe me.
“They will say that I lied and changed my story and that I cannot trust anything I say.
Alex Livesey / Getty Images
Dr. Richard Freeman previously claimed that he had been bullied into ordering testosterone to treat erectile dysfunction from former entertainment director Shane Sutton. The Australian strongly denied the claim and was acquitted by the court.
“I have admitted those lies.
“And, yes, I deserved the GMC tribunal, but I can say with a clear conscience that I did not order Testogel knowing or believing it was for cheating.”
Dr. Freeman added: “I am still shocked by this verdict. I have made many mistakes, but I am not a doping doctor.”
Doug Pensinger / Getty Images
After Bradley Wiggins’ great triumph in 2012, Team Sky drivers won five of the next six Tour de France titles.
The court will meet again next week to assess whether Dr. Freeman’s ability to practice is affected due to his misconduct.
Dr. Freeman also faces two charges from UKAD regarding the testosterone order.
