The UCI announced today that it had opened a biological passport case against Team Sky’s Jonathan Tiernan-Locke

“The analysis of the biological passport of Mr Jonathan Tiernan-Locke by the Experts Panel has demonstrated an anti-doping rule violation,” the UCI statement read.

“Consequently and in compliance with the UCI Anti-Doping Rules, the UCI has requested his National Federation to initiate disciplinary proceedings.”

Immediately after, Tiernan-Locke’s agent Andrew McQuaid (the son of former UCI president Pat McQuaid), released a statement that said that the Sky rider will contest all the charges against him.

“Mr Tiernan-Locke vehemently denies the charges brought against him and has informed the UCI that he fully intends to contest them. Mr Tiernan-Locke will not ride for Team Sky, attend training camps or undertake any team duties until a decision is made in these proceedings. Mr Tiernan-Locke is looking forward to a speedy and just resolution of these unfortunate charges. Until a decision has been reached, Mr Tiernan-Locke will make no further comment on the matter."

It looks like British Cycling will be responsibile for his case, and UK Anti-Doping director of legal Graham Arthur confirms that the UK Anti-Doping has been handed the Tiernan-Locke case, and is looking in to it.

Tiernan-Locke’s passport discrepancy was already mentioned in an article in September, in the Sunday Times, by David Walsh.

Back then Sky’s provided a statement that read:

"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 "He has withdrawn from racing whilst his response to the UCI is prepared then considered by the UCI.”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 ongoing process we will not add any further detail."

If Tiernan-Locke should be found guilty it will threathen the anti-doping foundations upon which Team Sky has been built, and will question the legitimacy of the team.

Still, Tiernan-Locke’s irregular blood values dates back to his victory in the Tour of Britain, and to when he was riding for Team Endura, and it is unclear which direct implications the case will have on his current team.