© The Associated Press FILE - In this July 21, 2012 file photo, Bradley Wiggins of Britain, wearing the overall leader's yellow jersey, celebrates as he crosses the finish line of the 19th stage of the the Tour de France cycling race in Chartres, France. A British parliamentary committee says in a doping investigation report that Bradley Wiggins used a banned powerful corticosteroid to enhance his performance and not for medical reasons while winning the Tour de France in 2012. The report accuses Team Sky of crossing an “ethical line” after preaching zero tolerance. Team Sky criticized “the anonymous and potentially malicious claim” by members of parliament. (AP Photo/Laurent Rebours, File) LONDON — Bradley Wiggins says he is the subject of a "malicious" attempt to smear his name as he strongly denied accusations from British lawmakers that he used banned substances to enhance his performance while preparing to win the 2012 Tour de France."Not at any time during my career did we cross the ethical line" while riding for Team Sky, Wiggins said in an interview with the BBC in a passionate defense of his reputation.A British parliamentary committee said in a doping investigation report, published on Monday, that evidence showed Team Sky sought a therapeutic use exemption for Wiggins to take triamcinolone "not to treat medical need but to improve his power to weight ratio."Wiggins says "it wasn't a medication that was abused in order to gain an advantage," but instead one to treat a medical condition — asthma — that he said he was diagnosed with in 2003."This is malicious. This is someone trying to smear me," Wiggins said. "These allegations (are) the worst thing to be accused of. ... We're not dealing in a legal system. I'd have more rights if I'd murdered someone."
© The Associated Press FILE - In this July 21, 2012 file photo, Bradley Wiggins of Britain, wearing the overall leader's yellow jersey, celebrates as he crosses the finish line of the 19th stage of the the Tour de France cycling race in Chartres, France. A British parliamentary committee says in a doping investigation report that Bradley Wiggins used a banned powerful corticosteroid to enhance his performance and not for medical reasons while winning the Tour de France in 2012. The report accuses Team Sky of crossing an “ethical line” after preaching zero tolerance. Team Sky criticized “the anonymous and potentially malicious claim” by members of parliament. (AP Photo/Laurent Rebours, File) LONDON — Bradley Wiggins says he is the subject of a "malicious" attempt to smear his name as he strongly denied accusations from British lawmakers that he used banned substances to enhance his performance while preparing to win the 2012 Tour de France."Not at any time during my career did we cross the ethical line" while riding for Team Sky, Wiggins said in an interview with the BBC in a passionate defense of his reputation.A British parliamentary committee said in a doping investigation report, published on Monday, that evidence showed Team Sky sought a therapeutic use exemption for Wiggins to take triamcinolone "not to treat medical need but to improve his power to weight ratio."Wiggins says "it wasn't a medication that was abused in order to gain an advantage," but instead one to treat a medical condition — asthma — that he said he was diagnosed with in 2003."This is malicious. This is someone trying to smear me," Wiggins said. "These allegations (are) the worst thing to be accused of. ... We're not dealing in a legal system. I'd have more rights if I'd murdered someone."