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BBC Breakfast's Louise Minchin responds on air to triathlon ‘cheating’ claim

BBC Breakfast presenter Louise Minchin has hit back at claims that she cheated in a triathlon and revealed that authorities say she has no case to answer.

The television host was accused of receiving unfair help from another cyclist when she competed in the Slateman event in Snowdonia last weekend.

But during the programme’s papers review slot, Ms Minchin took the opportunity to address the incident after a front-page Sun story about the row appeared. She said British Triathlon, the event organiser, informed her she has no case to answer to.

Ms Minchin, 49, a Team GB ­tri­­ath­lete, was reported to ­of­ficials by a fellow competitor following the event in the mountainous park.

The woman claimed that during the cycling leg of the race, another woman cyclist had appeared “from nowhere” and pedalled inches in front of Ms Minchin, reducing wind resistance, making progress easier.

The tactic, called drafting, was said to have handed her a huge advantage in the race.

The woman said she saw Sam­antha Gardiner, also a Team GB triathlete, riding ahead of the Breakfast host for up to six miles, and told the pair: “You can’t do that.”

Ms Gardiner said she did not take part in the race, The Sun reported.

The Slateman event comprised a 1km swim, 32-mile bike ride and a 6.8-mile trail run through slate quarries.

Ms Minchin’s accuser told the paper: “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.

“Louise saw me talking to the rep and came over. I said, 'You cheated'. She said, 'Well, I didn't really because I didn't know she was going to be there'. I said, 'You had a draft!' She said, 'I know I had a draft, and I know how it looks but I didn't cheat.'”

Ms Minchin added that she had been surprised to see the rider just ahead of her. “Whoever approaches me, I never say p*** off – it’s not my nature. I apologise profusely and it will change the way I race,” she reportedly said.

During today’s papers review, she joked that she was sharing a front page with the Duchess of Sussex, Meghan Markle, saying: "I’m sharing a front page actually with Meghan.

“And there's a story about me in The Sun about an incident at a race on Sunday which I was talked to about - British Triathlon who say I have no case to answer."

She said no further action would be taken.

British Triathlon did not respond to requests to confirm whether Ms Minchin had a case to answer or whether Ms Gardiner took part in the race.