Sergio Henao withdrawn from racing by Team Sky
By Andy Charles
Last Updated: 20/04/16 11:35am
Team Sky have withdrawn Sergio Henao from racing for a second time as he faces further investigation by the Cycling Anti-Doping Foundation (CADF).
Colombian climber Henao, who spends most of his off-season at altitude in his homeland, missed three months of racing in 2014 while investigations were made into anomalies in his biological passport.
Shortly after his return, the 28-year-old suffered a serious knee injury in a crash at the Tour de Suisse, but he had been showing good form in 2016 and was among the favourites for Wednesday's La Fleche Wallonne classic in Belgium.
Team Sky confirmed in a statement on Wednesday morning that CADF had contacted Henao over readings on his Athlete Blood Passport between August 2011 and June 2015, and that he would not race while the investigation was ongoing, while making it clear Henao had not failed a drug test.
Henao said: "I am beyond disappointed. I have worked incredibly hard to get back to racing fitness after shattering my knee last year - but I know who I am, how hard I have worked and the sacrifices I have made to be where I am today.
"I am calm and confident that this will be resolved soon so I can get back to racing as soon as possible."
Team principal Sir Dave Brailsford added: "We believe in Sergio. He has just come back to full fitness after spending eight months recovering from a potentially career ending crash. But we respect the CADF process and will apply our team policy in the circumstances.
"We will continue to support him fully during this period so he can get back to racing as soon as possible."
