A LONG-AWAITED independent report published Wednesday looking into British Cycling says the sport’s domestic governing body lacked “good governance” and there was a “culture of fear” within the track cycling team.

However, the report — compiled by a five-member panel headed by British Rowing chair Annamarie Phelps — is not as damning about British Cycling as the draft that was leaked to the Daily Mail in March, although the “culture of fear” conclusion remains.

The panel — which began work in April 2016 after allegations of sexism and bullying were made about the then British Cycling technical director Shane Sutton by female track rider Jess Varnish and then by several other cyclists — took evidence from more than 100 former riders and staff.

The report — seven pages shorter than the leaked version — said that Sutton, who subsequently resigned prior to the 2016 Olympics in Rio, was allowed to operate within a “power pocket” without having to really answer to anybody.

Sutton resigned after the allegations by Varnish, who said he told her to “get on with having a baby” after she was cut from the team last year.

Varnish and her teammate Katy Marchant both lashed out at the British set-up after they failed to qualify for last year’s Olympics, where the British team went on to enjoy huge success on the track.

(SD-Agencies)