Team Ineos Grenadiers Issues Statement Addressing 2012 Accusations
The world of professional cycling is once again embroiled in a doping scandal, with the International Testing Agency (ITA) investigating a former staff member of INEOS Grenadiers (formerly Team Sky), David Rozman. Rozman, a longtime head soigneur for the team, is under scrutiny due to his past relationship with convicted German doping doctor, Mark Schmidt.
According to court papers related to the Aderlass doping case, Rozman exchanged incriminating texts with Schmidt in 2012, and allegedly invited Schmidt to the team's hotel during the 2012 Tour de France. These communications have raised suspicions about doping practices connected to Team Sky's 2012 Tour de France win.
Mark Schmidt, who was sentenced to nearly five years in prison for illicit blood doping procedures linked to various athletes, has been implicated in organizing and orchestrating a doping programme that led to the suspensions of 20 athletes.
However, it's important to note that no direct evidence implicating Rozman or Team Sky in doping has been publicly confirmed. Rozman himself is cooperating with the investigation, and INEOS has stated that no relevant authority has provided evidence tied to Rozman or the team's doping.
The 2012 Tour de France win by Team Sky (now INEOS Grenadiers) is under renewed focus due to these revelations, though no formal doping allegations have been proven against the team’s riders for that year based solely on this connection.
Rozman, who has supported elite athletes including multiple Tour winners like Chris Froome, has also worked with Team GB at the London 2012 and Rio 2016 Olympics, and spent time working with Manchester United’s soft tissue therapists in 2024 within a staff exchange program.
Sir David Brailsford, the team's founder, is currently at the Tour de France but has consistently refused to speak to the media about the allegations. During stage 10 of the Tour de France, Brailsford was reported to have sworn at reporters when asked about the allegations.
In response to the allegations, INEOS Grenadiers have reiterated their policy of zero tolerance to any breach of the applicable World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) code, historic or current. The team has also made a formal request to the International Testing Agency for any relevant information regarding the apparent connection between a team staff member and the notorious doping ring.
As the investigation continues, the cycling community awaits the outcome with bated breath. The allegations have cast a shadow over the 2012 Tour de France, but so far, no direct doping allegations against Team Sky riders tied to these communications have been substantiated publicly.
[1] The Guardian: "Allegations of doping at Team Sky re-emerge as David Rozman's texts with Mark Schmidt surface" [2] BBC Sport: "Team Sky staff member David Rozman suspended over doping allegations" [4] Cycling Weekly: "David Rozman: suspended INEOS Grenadiers staff member's role in 2012 Tour de France"
- Despite the ongoing investigation into doping allegations, no formal doping allegations against Team Sky's riders for the 2012 Tour de France, which was won by the team, have been proven based solely on the connection with the notorious doping ring.
- Beyond his work in professional cycling, David Rozman, who is under investigation for his past relationship with convicted doping doctor Mark Schmidt, has also supported football teams, spending time working with Manchester United’s soft tissue therapists in 2024 within a staff exchange program.
