Team Sky quickly responded to Michael Barry’s revelations about a frequent usage of Tramadol painkiller in the British squad in and off the competition published by The Times last weekend, with an official statement released on Monday.

 

In the interview for The Times, a former Team Sky rider claimed that he saw his team-mates using the controversial painkiller for training and during the competition, and he personally was forced to take the drug following his crash in the Tour de France 2010 edition.

 

Barry also described the effects of using Tramadol as causing both euphory and confusion, but above everything significantly enhancing performance.

 

Team manager Dave Brailsford was unavailable to comment on the latest revelations, but Sky have released an official statement in which claimed that none of their current riders is allowed to use Tramadol for competition or training, and that it’s against their policy that has been in place for two years.

 

 

Sky’s full statement:

 

None of our riders should ride whilst using Tramadol — that’s the policy of this team.

 

Team Sky do not give it to riders whilst racing or training, either as a pre-emptive measure or to manage existing pain.

 

We believe that its side effects, such as dizziness and drowsiness, could cause issues for the safety of all riders.

 

We also feel that if a rider has the level of severe pain for its appropriate use they should not be riding.

 

Tramadol is not prohibited by WADA but this has been our firm position for the last two seasons and all medical staff and riders are aware of this.

 

Our view is that it should be on the WADA list and any appropriate clinical use could be managed through the regulated TUE, or Therapeutic Use Exemption, system.