• Cycling

Sports director leaves Team Sky after doping admission

ESPN staff
October 29, 2012
Dave Brailsford is ensuring Team Sky has a zero-tolerance on doping © Getty Images
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Team Sky's drive to clean up cycling's image continues as the British team announced the departure of Steven de Jongh after he admitted doping during his professional career.

Sky have underlined their zero-tolerance drugs policy, and in the wake of the Lance Armstrong scandal have told their riders and staff that they would not employ anyone who had been involved in doping at any stage in their careers.

De Jongh leaves his post as sports director after three years having admitted to taking a banned substance during his career as a professional cyclist.

"After the team reaffirmed its position on anti-doping, Steven disclosed that he had taken a banned substance earlier in his career as a professional rider," said a Team Sky statement.

"There's no doubt about Steven's work with us or his approach," team principal Dave Brailsford said. "He's been a highly-valued sports director and colleague over three seasons.

"Steven deserves our respect for the courage he's shown in being honest about the past and it's right that we do our best to support him. He has our best wishes for the next step in his career."

Sporting director Sean Yates, a former team-mate of Lance Armstrong, announced his retirement from cycling on Sunday, although Team Sky were insisted it was not related to the team's crackdown on doping.

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.
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