Ineos Grenadiers soigneur David Rozman worked at Manchester United last year
A member of the Ineos Grenadiers staff who departed the Tour de France after the International Testing Agency (ITA) requested an interview regarding doping allegations from the 2012 season, had a stint at Manchester United last year.
The cycling team has confirmed that David Rozman was contacted by the ITA in April and subsequently received an interview request, leading him to “step back” from his duties at the Tour de France last month.
Rozman, a Slovenian national, serves as a soigneur for Ineos, a role encompassing logistical support, massage therapy, and general assistance to the riders.
It has emerged that Rozman spent a month in 2024 working alongside Manchester United’s soft tissue therapists as part of a ‘knowledge exchange’ initiative following Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s acquisition of a co-ownership stake in the club.
Sources at Manchester United have told BBC Sport that the club was unaware of the recently published historical allegations and had no involvement in them.
Manchester United declined to comment. Ineos have been approached for comment.
Ineos staff member leaves Tour amid doping investigation
Ineos Grenadiers, formerly known as Team Sky, secured victory in the 2012 Tour de France with Britain’s Bradley Wiggins claiming the coveted yellow jersey, and continued their dominance by winning six of the following seven editions of the race.
The cycling team stated that Rozman was initially contacted informally in April 2025 by an ITA staff member regarding alleged historical communications, prompting an external legal review commissioned by the team.
In a statement released at the time, the team affirmed: “The team has acted responsibly and with due process, taking the allegations seriously whilst acknowledging that David is a long-standing, dedicated member of the team.
“The team continues to assess the circumstances and any relevant developments, and has formally requested any relevant information from the ITA. To date the team has received no evidence from any relevant authority.
“Both David and the team will of course co-operate with the ITA and any other authority.”
Earlier in July, the Irish Independent reported that Rozman had exchanged messages with convicted German doping doctor Mark Schmidt in 2012.
A documentary by German TV company ARD also linked Ineos to Schmidt but did not identify the specific staff member involved.
In 2021, Schmidt was sentenced to four years and 10 months in jail after being convicted of administering illegal blood transfusions to athletes across cycling and other sports as part of Operation Aderlass.
The ITA told BBC Sport that its investigations are “conducted confidentially” and “outcomes may only be shared if and when it yields the pursuit of one or more anti-doping rule violations.”
Ineos has facilitated knowledge sharing and staff exchanges across its diverse sporting ventures.
In June, Ineos director of sport Sir Dave Brailsford reduced his involvement with Manchester United, after playing a significant role in the club’s football operations.
Brailsford stepped down as team principal of Ineos Grenadiers following Ratcliffe’s acquisition of a stake in United, but has since returned to a key position at the cycling team and was present at this year’s Tour de France.