In March 2014, Sergio Henao was suspended by Team Sky. He announced that they would remove Henao from the team's race schedule for eight weeks after they raised questions about results of out-of-competition tests he undewent after he returned to Rionegro in October 2013 for the winter. The Colombian rider described the feeling of returning to cycling at the Settimana Coppi e Bartali in March this year like a kid on a bike for the first time, or a baby making its first steps.

"From a medical point of view it was complicated situation, but he was never thinking about quitting cycling – from day one he was like ‘I’m going to be back on the bike as soon as possible’," Sky directeur sportif Dario Cioni told Cyclingnews in Poland. "He must have been through some really bad moments but he’s been incredible, how focused he was coming back to racing. For everyone, it was emotional to see him come back in Coppi e Bartali, he was super happy to be back with a number on the back, again, ahead of expectations because for sure we didn’t think he’d be able to race in March."

Lasf year, the 27-year-old made his return at the Tour de Suisse. But during the reconnaissance ride of the time trial stage, he collided with a car and was left with a fractured kneecap. "The reality was that there was a possibility I wouldn’t be able to return to cycling. When you’re going through that rehabilitation process, a lot of things go through your head; how will the legs be when will I return? Will I ever get back to the same level as before? There were times when I wondered if it was worth returning to cycling and if I returned then would I return to winning, to being up there in races."

Henao draws comparisons between the two difficult moments. "That one was out of my hands really whereas my injury depended on me, my work, my mentality, my resolve to get the best out of my rehabilitation. Also people point the finger at you, after so many bad years in cycling people are bitter. People have very bad thoughts without having any proof or without understanding the situation. One of the most difficult things was that it damaged my image. I tried not to attach too much importance to it – I could remain calm knowing it was being investigated, and that I had nothing to hide."

This month, he finished first in the queen stage of the Tour of Poland. The climber will be part of the British team during the third three-week race of this season. "The Vuelta is my next major goal. We’re waiting to see what Chris [Froome] and Geraint [Thomas] do, so I don’t know what role I’ll have, but whether it’s working for someone else or pursuing my own possibilities, it’s about giving 100 per cent in whatever situation. I rode the Vuelta as leader in 2013 and I wasn’t at the level needed. I’ll give it my best and whether it’s glory or despair, just being there over a three-week tour will be good, with such great rivals that will be there. That would be good for me, to see if I’m strong enough yet to fight and be up there in a three-week tour."