Tag: Jonathan Tiernan-Locke

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Tiernan-Locke Sacked by Team Sky

Tiernan-Locke

Tiernan-LockeTeam Sky’s Jonathan Tiernan-Locke has received a two-year ban for an anti-doping violation. The International Cycling Union (UCI) imposed the ban on the 29-year-old, who joined Team Sky in 2012, after finding discrepancies in his biological passport; Tiernan-Locke is also stripped of his 2.012 Tour of Britain title and sacked from Sky.

 

Team Principal of Team Sky, Dave Brailsford, said: ‘Jonathan’s contract has been terminated today. Whilst there have been no doubts about his time with us, his doping violation – from readings taken before he joined this team – means there’s no place for him in Team Sky. We’ve a well-known stance on anti-doping and our action is the inevitable outcome of a violation. This is a team that trains, races and wins clean.’

 

The discrepancies in his biological passport were taken in September 2012, shortly before he signed his two-year contract with Team Sky and three months before his first race with the team.

 

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Jonathan Tiernan-Locke Faces Doping Enquiry

Jonathan Tiernan-Locke

Jonathan Tiernan-LockeTeam Sky Rider Jonathan Tiernan-Locke looks set to face disciplinary proceedings after an anti-doping violation was found in his biological passport. The 28-year-old 2012 Tour of Britain winner pulled out of the 2013 World Championships in September when the International Cycling Union (UCI) asked him to explain the anomaly and today Team Sky issued this press statement:

 

‘Team Sky notes that Jonathan Tiernan-Locke has been charged with a violation of the UCI anti-doping rules. We have been informed that he intends to defend himself against that charge… Jonathan Tiernan-Locke will not ride for Team Sky or take part in any team activities – including training camps and all team duties – until a decision is made in this disciplinary hearing process. We understand that the violation was highlighted by an anomaly in his Biological Passport, in a reading taken before he signed for this team. There are no doubts about his approach or performance in Team Sky.’ The statement added: ‘This is a team that trains, races and wins clean.’

 

The Devon-born rider strenuously denies any wrong-doing, but Cyclo can’t help but think he may now regret his team profile page response to the question: ‘Childhood Hero?’ –  ‘I looked up to Lance Armstrong when I was a kid.’

 

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Sky Sign Tour of Britain Winner

This year’s Tour of Britain winner Jonathan Tiernan-Locke has announced that he is to join Team Sky. Perhaps no great surprise that the aggressively ambitious team should want to sign the 27-year-old climber; wins at both the Tour de Mediterranean and Tour du Haut Var, topped off by ToB victory have seen an impressive year for him and the move from Endura Racing should certainly see further impressive results. Commenting on the two year deal Tiernan-Locke said, ‘It’s an incredible opportunity for me to step up from the UCI Continental ranks, and although I’ve really enjoyed my time at Endura, I couldn’t pass up the chance to join the world’s best team. When you look at the season Team Sky have had, to even be considered by them was a massive honour for me, so I’m over the moon to be riding for them in 2013… I’m under no illusions – it’s going to be a big step up – but with all the support I’ll receive from the coaching staff, and having such talented riders around me, I’ll definitely be looking to up my game.’

 

Dave Brailsford, Team Sky Principal, commented, ‘At Team Sky we are determined that the best British talent have the opportunities to compete at the highest level of our sport. We have monitored Jonathan’s progress closely and are delighted to offer him this contract.’

 

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Tiernan-Locke Wins ToB

Tour of BritainGB’s year of unparalleled cycling success continued today with Endura Racing’s Jonathan Tiernan-Locke becoming the first Brit to win the Tour of Britain in 19 years. Going into today’s final stage (147.7km, Reigate to Guildford) with a headwind of 18 seconds 27-year-old Tiernan-Locke had looked in contention for several days and even Mark Cavendish’s textbook Sky set up and launch stage win – his third of the tour – didn’t distract. If rumours are correct today could potentially have been Cav’s final outing in Team Sky colours ahead of a hotly anticipated move, but who will fill his pedals? Again if rumours are to be believed… Tiernan-Locke.