Shane Sutton hopeful of British Cycling return and expects to be cleared of bullying allegations – Telegraph.co.uk

Cycling’s national governing body is on the hunt not only for a new performance director to work alongside the technical director – whether that is Sutton or someone else – but also a new chief executive to replace its long-standing CEO Ian Drake, who this week announced his intention to quit the organisation next April. Former GB rider Sara Symington is the favourite for the performance director role.

The results of the Sutton internal investigation – which after some wrangling will be made public, although not in full – will be shared with the independent inquiry.

Sutton quit his post in April after former track sprinter Jess Varnish accused him of telling her to “go and have a baby” after her contract was not renewed. Varnish’s allegations were followed by others from former athletes. “As I’ve said all along, I am confident that I will be cleared of any wrongdoing,” Sutton said. “And if I am, I’d like to think they would ask me to reconsider my resignation. I resigned when I did to take the heat off the team 100 days out from the Olympic Games. But I totally refute the claims.” 

The board is understood to be split over whether to invite Sutton back should he be cleared. A number of current GB riders, including Sir Bradley Wiggins and Becky James, have said they would like to see him return.