An investigation has been launched by the Int'l Cycling Union's (UCI) anti-doping body into "claims that Team Sky covered up a rider's use of banned injections," according to Martyn Ziegler of the LONDON TIMES. Cyclist Josh Edmondson alleged he told senior management that he "injected a cocktail of steroids and supplements" in contravention of the sport's "no needles" policy after IV equipment was discovered. Team Sky insisted that the rider told them he "never used the syringes." The controversy, "the latest in a series to hit Team Sky," has led the UCI's anti-doping division to contact UK Anti-Doping. The UCI's rules "state clearly that there is an obligation on riders and teams to report to the UCI any circumstances that could constitute a breaching of anti-doping rules," including the "no needles" policy (LONDON TIMES, 3/17). The BBC's Dan Roan reported Edmonson, who was "on the team's books" in '13 and '14, also said that he had severe depression after independently using the "controversial" painkiller Tramadol. Edmondson added that the "pressure of his selection for a major race" in '14 led to him breaching the UCI's "no-needle" policy "two or three times a week" for about a month. Team Sky said that legal vitamins and a needle were found in Edmondson's room, but it did not report the incident because he denied using them, and over concerns he "could be pushed over the edge" (BBC, 3/16). In London, Tom Cary reported Team Sky Clinical Dir Steve Peters felt Edmondson should "instead be offered professional support." Peters said, "I did think there was a really big risk this lad would be pushed over the edge. I stand by my decision. I think I'd definitely have told them if I thought this young man was trying to cheat, but I don't think he was doing that (TELEGRAPH, 3/16).
