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Tiernan-Locke sacked by Sky after doping ban

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Team Sky have sacked Jonathan Tiernan-Locke after the rider was handed a two-year doping ban.

The action comes after confirmation of Tiernan-Locke's UCI anti-doping violation, upheld after he made an unsuccessful appeal to UK Anti Doping.

The British cyclist will be banned until 31 December 2015 and has been stripped of his 2012 Tour of Britain title, secured before he joined Team Sky for the 2013 season.

Tiernan-Locke's ban comes as a result of anomalies in his biological passport, taken in September 2012, shortly before he signed with Team Sky on a two-year contract.

"Jonathan's contract has been terminated today," Team Sky principal Sir Dave Brailsford said.

"Whilst there have been no doubts about his time with us, his doping violation - from readings taken before he joined this team - means there's no place for him in Team Sky.

"We've a well-known stance on anti-doping and our action is the inevitable outcome of a violation.

"This is a team that trains, races and wins clean."

In a statement, Team Sky said: "Prior to his signing, a number of factors - quantitative and qualitative - were properly considered. However, [Tiernan-Locke] had no biological passport to review until the spring of 2013, once the anti-doping authorities had collected the required number of readings.

"Team Sky was first aware of an issue in September 2013. Senior management immediately looked into the case and also reviewed recruitment processes. These will continue to be assessed, on an ongoing basis, with the support of the team's Compliance Officer, appointed in the autumn.

"Jonathan Tiernan-Locke has not raced for the team since September 2013 and has not taken part in any team activities - including races, training camps and public appearances - since he was formally notified of a UCI anti-doping violation, then immediately announced his appeal, on 16 December 2013."

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