Ineos Grenadiers Staff Member Faces Doping Allegations Investigation
David Rozman, a staff member of the Ineos Grenadiers cycling team, has stepped back from his duties at the Tour de France following a request by the International Testing Agency (ITA) to discuss doping allegations related to the 2012 season. Rozman, who worked with Manchester United's soft tissue therapists for a month in 2024 as part of a knowledge exchange initiative, is currently one of Ineos' soigneurs, providing logistical support and massages to riders.
The ITA contacted Rozman informally in April 2025 regarding historical communications, prompting Ineos to commission a review by an external law firm. The team has stated it is taking the allegations seriously and is cooperating with the ITA, though it has yet to receive any evidence from relevant authorities.
In 2012, Ineos Grenadiers, then known as Team Sky, won the Tour de France with Bradley Wiggins securing the yellow jersey. The team has since won six of the next seven editions of the race. However, Rozman has been linked to convicted German doping doctor Mark Schmidt, as reported by the Irish Independent and a documentary by ARD, a German TV company. Schmidt was sentenced in 2021 for administering illegal blood transfusions to athletes across various sports.
The ITA has stated that its investigations are conducted confidentially, and outcomes will be shared only if anti-doping rule violations are pursued. Meanwhile, Sir Dave Brailsford, Ineos' director of sport, has reduced his involvement with Manchester United, having previously been integral to their football operations. Brailsford, who returned to a key role at Ineos Grenadiers, has faced controversies throughout his career, including the infamous "jiffy bag" incident involving Dr. Richard Freeman and allegations of unethical use of therapeutic use exemptions (TUEs) by Team Sky.
Both Brailsford and the organizations involved have consistently denied any wrongdoing.
Topics
- Manchester United
- Ineos Grenadiers
- Tour de France
- doping allegations
- David Rozman
- International Testing Agency
- Team Sky
- Bradley Wiggins
- Mark Schmidt
- Dave Brailsford
