Cycling-Britain’s medal machine scrambling to repair damage (Reuters)
By Martyn Herman LONDON, April 28 (Reuters) – British Cycling was rummaging around for the puncture repair kit on Thursday after technical director Shane Sutton’s resignation left the track powerhouse deflating like a shredded inner tube on the road to Rio. Less than 100 days before the start of the Olympic Games, the team that enjoyed medal bonanzas in Beijing and London is reeling from Wednesday’s departure of Sutton, a key cog in Britain’s rise to cycling superpower, over allegations of discrimination, sexism and bullying. Straight-talking Australian Sutton, who became a father figure to Britain’s first Tour de France winner Bradley Wiggins, had been suspended earlier in the week after British Cycling announced an independent review of its performance programmes in the wake of mounting disquiet over the 58-year-old’s leadership.