Jonathan Tiernan-Locke withdraws from cycling to explain biological passport anomaly
Jonathan Tiernan-Locke has withdrawn from racing over a biological passport anomaly.
Last Updated: 29/09/13 10:26am
The 28-year-old Team Sky rider was informed of an irregularity by the sport's governing body, the International Cycling Union (UCI), and has been asked to give an explanation.
The biological passport monitors cyclists' blood and urine to highlight discrepancies that may indicate the use of banned substances.
Tiernan-Locke agreed to join Team Sky in October last year and the anomalies are believed to have occurred in September 2012.
'Ongoing process'
A statement from Team Sky said: "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"He has withdrawn from racing whilst his response to the UCI is prepared then considered by the UCI.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 privately, 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."
Worlds withdrawal
Tiernan-Locke had been named in Great Britain's team for today's men's road race at the world championships but was withdrawn and replaced by Luke Rowe on Thursday.
In addition to his Tour of Britain triumph last year, Tiernan-Locke also won the Tour Mediterraneen and Tour du Haut Var, both in France.
Those results helped seal him a move to Team Sky for the 2013 season, but he has suffered a torrid first year with the British squad.
He failed to finish marquee stage races such as Paris-Nice and the Criterium International and his best result of the campaign was 47th place on stage three of the Volta ao Algarve.
