Directeur sportif Nicolas Portal has decided to come to Bradley Wiggins' defence. The Frenchman told Cyclingnews that his rider broke no rules and there is no grey area at Team Sky.

Russian hackers published some medical informations about the former Tour de France winner. According to these documents, Wiggins used three TUEs (Therapeutic Use Exemptions) for triamcinolone acetonide before the 2011 and 2012 Tours de France, and the 2013 Giro d'Italia.

Some days ago, United Kingdom Antidoping Agency decided to open an investigation launched into allegations of wrongdoing surrounding the team and British Cycling. So Sky faces a fight for his reputation.

"It's been pretty tough, especially in the UK," Portal, a directeur sportif at Sky, told Cyclingnews. "We've had support from the company but for us it's a shame because we try and do everything right and in the right way. Then you have this type of situation and you lose some courage. But I think it's time for the UCI or cycling in general to lead on what we want to do with this. With Brad it's a different situation and I can't talk for him. I don't know what his health was but this was a medical decision and was validated by the UCI. If we have more questions then we need to maybe think about the rules. We try to do everything right, and we're not the only team to do so."

He criticized the pressure on his team to join the Movement for Credible Cycling (MPCC). "Brad respected the rules. I don't think that there's a grey area in our team, that's for sure. I believe in what we're doing and most other teams too. When you don't want to be part of something it's because there is a reason and it's not always the easy one," he said of the MPCC. "It's been funny how some teams have been members of the MPCC but then had an issue with cortisone and then left the system. Or they've raced riders when they shouldn't have. We need to have the same rules and that has to come from the UCI, from WADA. There shouldn't be a choice. I don't think it's healthy to have different groups."