Tuesday 1 November 2016 12:24, UK
Shane Sutton has insisted he does not know what was in a mystery medical package delivered to Team Sky in June 2011, but is confident that the team and British Cycling will both be cleared of wrongdoing.
UK Anti-Doping are investigating the contents of the package, which was couriered to Team Sky by then British Cycling staff member Simon Cope on the day Sir Bradley Wiggins sealed overall victory of the 2011 Criterium du Dauphine.
Sutton, who was working for Team Sky at the time, told Sky Sports News HQ: "I definitely don't know what was in the package. I have stated that clearly from day one, but there's no denying a package was delivered.
"It's something that happens. Teams are requesting stuff from the service course [equipment store] on a regular basis.
"No one actually knows what was in the package. Obviously, the people that opened it and packed it will, and it's up to them to step up and come forward and tell the powers that be, or UK Anti-Doping. But I'm quite sure there is no wrongdoing from that perspective."
Asked if he had been interviewed by UKAD, Sutton replied: "Yes, I have spoken to them. One-hundred per cent, I didn't know what was in the package, and if I had, I would have been truthful and told them.
"All the world has come out, from UCI [International Cycling Union] to Wada [World Anti-Doping Agency] and everybody, saying there's no wrongdoing here, and I think from my perspective, I feel the same.
"The investigation will get to the bottom of it, and as I say, I think everyone will be exonerated and we will quickly move on."
The investigation into the medical package is one of several clouds currently hanging over British cycling.
Wiggins has come under heavy fire for using the banned steroid triamcinolone under a therapeutic use exemption ahead of the 2011 and 2012 Tours de France and 2013 Giro d'Italia, while a review into the culture at British Cycling is ongoing following accusations earlier in the year of bullying and discrimination.
Sutton, who resigned as British Cycling technical director over the allegations, added: "It's about time we all embraced what has been achieved here.
"From my point of view, people want to shoot their stars - the press, everybody. You are there to be shot at, and we have become so profiled, and so good at what we do, we are there to be shot at.
"We are in this real turmoil at this moment in time, but fortunately at BC [British Cycling], we have good leaders there, we have great coaches, and I'm sure that we will come through this period even stronger. I think that success will continue for a long time."
