Cyclist Bradley Wiggins calls doping allegation a 'malicious' smear

Bradley Wiggins says he is the subject of a "malicious" attempt to smear his name as he denied accusations from British lawmakers that he used banned substances to enhance his performance while preparing to win the 2012 Tour de France.

In a passionate defence of his reputation, Wiggins said in an interview with the BBC that "not at any time during my career did we cross the ethical line" while riding for Team Sky.

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.

Wiggins says "this is malicious. This is someone trying to smear me. 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."