British Cycling chief Shane Sutton suspended after allegedly referring to para-cyclists as ‘gimps’ – Telegraph.co.uk

Those claims were backed up by Victoria Pendleton in Tuesday’s Telegraph, the Olympic champion describing a “bullying, suffocating culture” at British Cycling, where she said sexism was an issue.

Nicole Cooke, another former Olympic champion, also voiced her support for Varnish, as did Wendy Houvenaghel, the retired Northern Irish rider describing Sutton as a “narcissistic little bully”.

British Cycling tried to stem the tide of negativity, with Sutton granting The Times a long interview on Tuesday in which he denied all allegations and defended his track record.

“We [Australians] like to say it how it is and I’m not going to hold back from that,” he said. “I’ve got more compassion than most people, but I’m ruthless with it. Regardless of anything, this is an evidence-based programme. It’s like being a football manager; you are judged on results. I’m fearful that I’ll be perceived for what I’m not.”