GB Cycling Team boss Stephen Park invites riders to raise concerns over Richard Freeman case

Great Britain Cycling Team performance director Stephen Park has written to riders who were members of the squad in 2011 inviting them to step forward if they have any concerns about the forthcoming tribunal involving former British Cycling doctor Richard Freeman.

Among the allegations levelled against Freeman published earlier this month by the Medical Practitioners Tribunal Service (MPTS) are that he ordered testosterone patches “to administer to an athlete to improve their athletic performance.”

If that allegation is upheld, it could result in UK Anti-Doping re-opening the investigation it shelved last year into alleged wrongdoing at British Cycling and Team Sky, which Freeman also worked for at the time.

Now the Daily Mail has reported that Park, who joined British Cycling two years ago, has sent an email to all riders who were on the national programme in 2011 – a list that would include some of the biggest names in the sport on both the road and track.

In the email, Park said: “I'm writing to all riders who were on the Great Britain Cycling Team programme in 2011 following recent news you may have seen regarding Dr Richard Freeman.

“Of particular interest to the media are allegations relating to a delivery of Testogel in 2011 and, specifically, that it was obtained with the intention that it would be administered to an athlete to improve performance.

“Therefore, in the interests of our ongoing duty of care to you, I wanted to get in touch. I am always happy to hear from any rider who has represented the GB team but if you would like to discuss British Cycling's approach to the MPTS process, please let me know."

The hearing is due to take place in Manchester on 6 February and if the allegations against him are proven, Freeman faces being suspended from practising medicine or even struck off.