Sky manager Brailsford on accusations against Wiggins - Only cough suppressant in the ominous package to Wiggins

The drug in question is Fluimucil, which is authorised by the World Anti-Doping Agency. According to Brailsford, he received the information from sports physician Richard Freeman, but was unable to provide any proof or evidence.

The parcel delivery had led to suspicions and an investigation against Sky and Wiggins. The women's coach at the time, Simon Cope, had brought the parcel from England to La Toussuire for the Tour de France preparation race Critérium du Dauphiné. Brailsford had to ask himself why the team had sent a medicine over 1000 miles that would have been available in France for eight euros. However, the Sky manager emphasised that Cope had been on the road anyway and that this was the easiest way.

Brailsford had become entangled in inconsistencies in the summer. The team boss had initially claimed that Wiggins had not had a private appointment with Freeman on the Sky bus. However, videos showed the superstar giving winner interviews in front of the bus. Brailsford had also initially stated that Cope had not visited the team, but Emma Pooley. Pooley denied this, saying she was in Spain at the time.

Wiggins came under scrutiny this season anyway. Russian hackers had revealed that Wiggins had been injected three times with the asthma drug triamcinolone, which is on the doping list, between 2011 and 2013 - including before his Tour victory in 2012. The Olympic gold medallist had submitted exemption authorisations, so-called TUEs, from the International Cycling Union (UCI).

BBC report