BBC Breakfast’s Louise Minchin apologises over triathlon ‘cheating’

BBC Breakfast host Louise Minchin has apologised after being accused of cheating during a gruelling triathlon through Snowdonia National Park. 

The presenter and Team GB triathlete, 49, outraged a fellow competitor who said she received an unfair advantage from another rider during the bike leg of the race.

It is claimed that Louise rode into the slipstream of another Team GB rider during parts of the notoriously hilly course, which saves energy and cuts wind resistance.

The presenter and Team GB triathlete, 49, outraged a fellow competitor who said she received an unfair advantage from another rider during the bike leg of the race

BBC Breakfast host Louise Minchin has apologised after being accused of cheating during a gruelling triathlon through Snowdonia National Park (pictured)

BBC Breakfast host Louise Minchin has apologised after being accused of cheating during a gruelling triathlon through Snowdonia National Park

BBC Breakfast host Louise Minchin has apologised after being accused of cheating during a gruelling triathlon through Snowdonia National Park

It is claimed that Louise rode into the slipstream of another Team GB rider Sam Gardiner (right) during parts of the notoriously hilly course, which saves energy and cuts wind resistance

It is claimed that Louise rode into the slipstream of another Team GB rider Sam Gardiner (right) during parts of the notoriously hilly course, which saves energy and cuts wind resistance

The presenter and Team GB triathlete, 49, outraged a fellow competitor who said she received an unfair advantage by 'drafting'

The presenter and Team GB triathlete, 49, outraged a fellow competitor who said she received an unfair advantage by ‘drafting’

Louise, who used the race as an opportunity to plug her book about life as a triathlete, spoke to about the Slateman Triathlon in a TV interview with Dan Walker. 

But one enraged triathlete hit out at Louise for receiving the help and told her: ‘You cheated!’

It is understood that Louise, who had already completed the 1,000m open-water swim was on her bike leg when another rider appeared ‘from nowhere’ and pedalled just in front of her save her riding into a headwind.

The tactic, called ‘drafting’, is said to have handed her an advantage in the race. 

At the competitive end of the race, where professional and semi-professional triathletes compete for podium places, the race employs a ‘no drafting’ rule. 

It is understood that Louise, who had already completed the 1,000m open-water swim was on her bike leg when another rider appeared 'from nowhere' and pedalled just in front of her save her riding into a headwind

It is understood that Louise, who had already completed the 1,000m open-water swim was on her bike leg when another rider appeared ‘from nowhere’ and pedalled just in front of her save her riding into a headwind

One enraged triathlete hit out at Louise for receiving the help and told her: 'You cheated!'

One enraged triathlete hit out at Louise for receiving the help and told her: ‘You cheated!’

However for riders in open categories, ‘drafting’ is common place and seen as a tactic to preserve energy for the running leg.

The outraged triathlete, who also tackled the swim, 32-mile road ride – which includes some of Britain’s toughest climbs and most picturesque views – and a 6.8 mile run through slate quarries and off-road terrain. 

The 35-year-old told The Sun: ‘It’s a hard race. During the cycling I feel like I’m dying. Louise is making out she’s done this super-duper thing and it makes me mad.

‘She’s lied to people a little bit.’ 

It is claimed that Louise rode into the slipstream of another Team GB rider during parts of the notoriously hilly course, which saves energy and cuts wind resistance.

It is claimed that Louise rode into the slipstream of another Team GB rider during parts of the notoriously hilly course, which saves energy and cuts wind resistance.

The presenter documented the ride on social media and regularly posted pictures to Instagram

The presenter documented the ride on social media and regularly posted pictures to Instagram

Louise, who used the race as an opportunity to plug her book about life as a triathlete, spoke to about the Slateman Triathlon in a TV interview with Dan Walker. But one enraged triathlete hit out at Louise for receiving the help and told her: 'You cheated!'

Louise, who used the race as an opportunity to plug her book about life as a triathlete, spoke to about the Slateman Triathlon in a TV interview with Dan Walker. But one enraged triathlete hit out at Louise for receiving the help and told her: ‘You cheated!’

The woman explained she saw Sam­antha Gardiner, a fellow triathlete, riding close to Louise for five to six miles and told them: ‘You can’t do that!’

Afterwards she said she saw Louise being interviewed and spoke to event organisers to complain – only to discover others had already beat her to it.  

Louise is said to have replied: ‘I didn’t really [cheat] because I didn’t know she was going to be there’.

Adding: ‘I know I had a draft, and I know how it looks but I didn’t cheat as it’s not like I cheated to win.’ 



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