Dr Richard Freeman accepted a free bike worth several thousands of pounds as a “gift” from Shane Sutton that was “cleared off” the British Cycling budget, a medical tribunal heard.
© Provided by The Guardian
Photograph: Carl de Souza/AFP/Getty Images
Related: Giro fears grow as Mitchelton-Scott and Jumbo-Visma exit after Covid positives
Freeman had previously told the tribunal that he was “terrified” of the former British Cycling head coach – and also said in his witness statement that Sutton had wanted him to sign off £6,000 of cosmetic dental treatment while the two men worked together.
However under cross-examination by Simon Jackson QC, counsel for the General Medical Council, Freeman stated that he had “regrettably” accepted a sponsor’s bike from Sutton, believed to be a Pinarello Prince worth several thousands of pounds, which he subsequently gave to his wife.
© Photograph: Carl de Souza/AFP/Getty Images
Shane Sutton pictured at the