Plymouth cyclist Jonathan Tiernan-Locke faces blood test inquiry
Plymouth's Team Sky cyclist Jonathan Tiernan-Locke has received notification from the sport’s governing body, Union Cycliste Internationale (UCI), asking him to explain suspect blood values dating back to September 2012, according to The Sunday Times.
The date concerned is three months before Tiernan-Locke became a member of the hugely successful team.
The 28-year-old 2012 Tour of Britain winner withdrew from the Road World Championships on Thursday citing a lack of form. Team Sky confirmed that Tiernan-Locke has withdrawn from cycling events "whilst his response to the UCI is prepared".
Team Sky issued the following statement on their website on Sunday (29 September):
"Team Sky has been informed by Jonathan Tiernan-Locke that the UCI has notified him of a potential discrepancy in his biological passport data.
"He has withdrawn from racing whilst his response to the UCI is prepared then considered by the UCI.
"We have no doubts over his performance, behaviour or tests at Team Sky and understand any anomaly is in readings taken before he joined the team.
"Team Sky has tried to respect what should be a confidential process, allowing the rider to explain in private, without prejudice, and the anti-doping authorities to do their valuable job.
"At this stage in the ongoing process we will not add any further detail."
Image http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File%3AJTL_TOB.jpg
By Peter Edmondson from uk (2012 09 15_2012 Tour of Britain_2297) via Wikimedia Commons
