Jonathan Tiernan-Locke (Sky) has received a letter from the UCI calling into question his blood values dating back to September 2012. According to an article in the Sunday Times written by David Walsh, the period in question predates his time with Team Sky, with his results whilst with Endura now under suspicion.

Even though Endura were not part of the Biological Passport system at the time because of their continental status, Tiernan-Locke was observed following his victory at the Tour of Britain. The baseline values ascertained after a season of passport measurements during 2013 are what testers are now claiming render his limited 2012 data as suspect.

Tiernan-Locke enjoyed a highly successful 2012, winning the Tour Méditerranéen, Tour du Haut Var, Tour Alsace and the Tour of Britain, and these results earned him a contract with the Sky team.

Response from Sky

Team Sky, who usually takes pride in a stringent zero tolerance on doping – even demanding that riders sign a declaration confirming that they have had neither past nor present involvement in doping – has subsequently issued a statement declaring they have "no doubts over his performance, behaviour or tests at Team Sky."

"Team Sky has been informed by Jonathan Tiernan-Locke that the UCI has notified him of a potential discrepancy in his biological passport data," said Team Sky in a press release. "He has withdrawn from racing whilst his response to the UCI is prepared then considered by the UCI.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 in private, without prejudice, and the anti-doping authorities to do their valuable job.

"At this stage in the on-going process we will not add any further detail."