蜜芽传媒

A former Team Sky cyclist told 5 live Breakfast the use of strong painkillers within cycling - and other sports - should be banned.

Michael Barry, who admitted doping when he was part of Lance Armstrong's US Postal team said painkillers such as Tramadol can leave riders with long term health problems, cause crashes within the peloton and can act as a gateway to using banned drugs.

The retired Canadian professional told Eleanor Oldroyd the use of these 'accepted drugs' is widespread - and believes they can be as 'performance-enhancing' as the banned drugs he took.

Team Sky stress they stopped the use of Tramadol more than two years ago and no longer allow their cyclists to ride or train using the painkiller. They also want Tramadol placed on the World Anti-Doping Agency's list of banned drugs.

Thsi clip is from 5 live Breakfast, 10th May 2014.