Team Sky has now confirmed that they are extending Jonathan Tiernan-Locke's "non-active" status, until further light has been shed on UCI's biological passport case

 

In a statement published on Team Sky's website, the squad states that Tiernan-Locke will not take part in any training or team activities, until a decision has been made.

 

"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. This is a team that trains, races and wins clean. At this stage, we will add no further detail until this initial disciplinary process is concluded."

 

Under normal circumstances biological passport cases only become apparent if the expert panel conclude that doping was responsible for the suspect values. It is rumoured that the basis for Tiernan Locke’s defence is illness, which he feels caused a change in his blood levels.