Jonathan Tiernan-Locke written to by UCI, asked to explain blood values

[BroDeal]

Smith said he was never blood tested at the Tour of Britain and would have to be after that period. This fits in with that, the day before the worlds.

Do people honestly believe BC/Sky wanted him to dope for the worlds and then rein him back in the period after when he was officially under contract with Sky?

These countries with doping programs will do anything for a shot at a win. Have to keep that lottery money flowing. There are too many people who depend on it for their livelihood.

 

[martinvickers]

These countries with doping programs will do anything for a shot at a win. Have to keep that lottery money flowing. There are too many people who depend on it for their livelihood.

None of the BC lottery funding depends on the Worlds, though. The lottery funding is directed all but exclusively at the Olympics, BSkyB's private funding all but exclusively, so far, at the Tour. Both of which had been absolutely superb successes in 2012 - there WAS absolutely NO risk to the funding, regardless of the Worlds, and to suggest otherwise doesn't stand up to scutiny.

They spent years on Cavendish for Copenhagen as a very specific project, for a very specific course. But none of that prep was there for TiernanLocke - he was just the right (wrong) guy at the right time after his Tour of britain win - the one brit seemingly in form for that type of race. Now, pending his case, we've a good idea why.

But the idea that any sizable BC funding was resting on JTL's shoulders in that world's is laughable, and deep down, Bro, you know it.

 

[martinvickers]

Good thing the boy only managed 19th at the World RR on Sept 23 @+5s. I mean we could have drunken Pros all over the place preparing for top races if he was any closer to the podium.

See you in 2 years, JTL.

I don't think the boy's coming back, in 2 yrs or otherwise - if he's guilty, the inference is that his absolutely shockingly bad 2013 is his true level - no way he gets a new world level contract on that. never mind as an ex-doper. This isn't Valverde we're talking about, who was a giant talent anyway.

 

[thehog]

None of the BC lottery funding depends on the Worlds, though. The lottery funding is directed all but exclusively at the Olympics, BSkyB's private funding all but exclusively, so far, at the Tour. Both of which had been absolutely superb successes in 2012 - there WAS absolutely NO risk to the funding, regardless of the Worlds, and to suggest otherwise doesn't stand up to scutiny.

They spent years on Cavendish for Copenhagen as a very specific project, for a very specific course. But none of that prep was there for TiernanLocke - he was just the right (wrong) guy at the right time after his Tour of britain win - the one brit seemingly in form for that type of race. Now, pending his case, we've a good idea why.

But the idea that any sizable BC funding was resting on JTL's shoulders in that world's is laughable, and deep down, Bro, you know it.

Brailsford had earmarked JTL to ride the Worlds back in April 2012 training camp in Tenerife.

Monday, 16 April 2012

I can confirm that prior to riding in the Vuelta a Castilla y Leon, Jonathan Tiernan-Locke was training at altitude in Tenerife with Team Sky. However Ex-Pro and Endura Team Manager Brian Smith is quick to dispel any rumours that arise from this concerning Jon Tiernan-Locke's Future in cycling...

Although Team Sky have been linked with Jon Tiernan-Locke before, both at the end of last season and again at the start of this year following JTL's fantastic results in the Tour Mediterraneen, Tour du Haut Var and Vuelta a Murcia, Brian insists that his block of training in Tenerife has nothing to do with a possible move to Sky for 2013.

''Jon was sick at Bartoli, I have friends at Sky and it made sense for him to recover and do a good block of training in the mountains with some good weather. I would not read too much into who he was with in Tenerife.'' he went on to say ''He is still committed to Endura and I will use my friends to help him. He will make decisions on 2013 later in the year.''

It is likely that many will draw their own conclusions from this, however I'm pretty certain that Brian has used Tenerife purely to benefit his rider's performance ahead of the Vuelta a Castilla y Leon and any Input from Team Sky and their extensive set-up would obviously be a massive benefit to a Continental rider like Jon Tiernan-Locke in preparation for more gruelling stage races and this in itself would not be uncommon as Brian Smith is eager to point out.

''I have friends at many WorldTour teams. We used another team for blood test facilities. Lotto (Belisol) have helped us (Endura) with 25mm tubs recently. It's nice to see WorldTour teams prepared to help and have relationships with some of the smaller teams.''

Not only is there ongoing speculation as to just where JTL will be riding next year, but rumours are also abound that he may feature in this years World Championships team at the request of Dave Brailsford, though Brian Smith says that any decision on the World's team will likely be looked at after the Olympics. The route of this years Worlds will feature much of the same roads and climbs as this years Amstel Gold Race, including the final climb of the Cauberg - having watched Amstel Gold closely on Sunday, I would concur that this route would indeed play to the strengths of Jon Tiernan-Locke who possesses the explosive puncheur style needed to escape the bunch on climbs like the Cauberg, as is usual with these things though, we can speculate as much as we like but in the end, only time will tell...

http://www.inthegc.com/2012/04/jonathan-tiernan-locke-trained-with.html

 

[Ferminal]

some of the conspiracy's here would make you cringe, I am a fan of Smith and hope his words don't bite him in the *** as hes been good for the sport. If JTL did anything its likely micro dosing EPO, but their is a number of supplements he could have taken under his own guidance that altered his values. Not good times for him anyway especially with sky putting him to the dogs.

He spurted enough nonsense for the previous 20 years to bite him in the *** for the rest of his life. He's a '90s hack no different to anyone else. For all we know it was Smith who told JTL to start doping big time. Whether or not he did is another question, but he was more than happy milking JTL for all he was worth last year and now something not really unexpected occurs and he's trying to palm him off to the evil empire.

 

[BroDeal]

Brailsford had earmarked JTL to ride the Worlds back in April 2012 training camp in Tenerife.

http://www.inthegc.com/2012/04/jonathan-tiernan-locke-trained-with.html

It is just as I suspected. Brailsford went mad with power and drunk with greed. It was not enough to make a mockery of the Tour de France. He had his sights on ruining the world championships as well. Luckily, JTL got the cocktail wrong.

 

[thehog]

It is just as I suspected. Brailsford went mad with power and drunk with greed. It was not enough to make a mockery of the Tour de France. He had his sights on ruining the world championships as well. Luckily, JTL got the cocktail wrong.

By all accounts he mixed his whiskey with EPO.

Kerrisons lactate testing and numbers back in April 12 showed the boy was a "responder".

 

[jens_attacks]

some of the conspiracy's here would make you cringe, I am a fan of Smith and hope his words don't bite him in the *** as hes been good for the sport. If JTL did anything its likely micro dosing EPO, but their is a number of supplements he could have taken under his own guidance that altered his values. Not good times for him anyway especially with sky putting him to the dogs.

again...

that is rather a thing he didn't do for sure, he went pure hardcore gangsta, pedal to the metal stuff. comme une bombe. legend JTL

 

[gillan1969]

pis*ed up two days before the worlds rr where he finishes in lead group....

straight from the landis training manual....

I'm sure they get the cattle pis*ed up in bhe 'low countries' makes for better meat to drink with your chimay....that must be it......

 

[Ferminal]

again...

that is rather a thing he didn't do for sure, he went pure hardcore gangsta, pedal to the metal stuff. comme une bombe. legend JTL

Microdosing EPO is code for infusing 400ml of blood.

 

[nevada]

I don't think the boy's coming back, in 2 yrs or otherwise - if he's guilty, the inference is that his absolutely shockingly bad 2013 is his true level - no way he gets a new world level contract on that. never mind as an ex-doper. This isn't Valverde we're talking about, who was a giant talent anyway.

And drinking heavily before the worlds.

 

[Benotti69]

Of course and the l'Equipe article is the obvious one.

They didn't know about all this at the time. The suspicious test is out of line it seems with later ones when he was officially at Sky.

How do you know they didn't know? They were very cosy with McQuaid till Cookson decided to run for UCI pres.

If Cummings, Fenn or Cav get popped in and around the worlds, will we blame Sky there as well?

Did I blame Sky? Where did i use the word blame? Sky knew, or their whole mantra of attention to detail and sports science is a total smoke screen.

At the present moment the riders are responsible for what they put in their bodies. JTL was working with Brailsford at the time his anomaly arose. Sky cant dismiss that he was not with them at the time as he was with TeamGB/Brailsford/Sky in september in prep for WC.

 

[Benotti69]

I don't think the boy's coming back, in 2 yrs or otherwise - if he's guilty, the inference is that his absolutely shockingly bad 2013 is his true level - no way he gets a new world level contract on that. never mind as an ex-doper. This isn't Valverde we're talking about, who was a giant talent anyway.

Or he did not respond well to 'marginal gains' like Froome, Wigans, Rogers, Porte and a few others have done.

That Sky are clean is for the birds.

 

[SundayRider]

JTL is on about £400K per year with Sky - doping pays...

 

[coinneach]

It is just as I suspected. Brailsford went mad with power and drunk with greed. It was not enough to make a mockery of the Tour de France. He had his sights on ruining the world championships as well. Luckily, JTL got the cocktail wrong.

Brialsford wants to win everything, you seem to take exception to this?

 

[MartinGT]

JTL is on about £400K per year with Sky - doping pays...

Link?............

 

[coinneach]

Just read Walsh's article in the ST today.

He said the suspicious test was on 22 September. 3 experts flagged it up. Blood tests were taken in the next 5 months and the baseline records were noted. They then seen a case to be answered for.

JTL is saying he was drinking heaviliy the day before which might explain the low retics.

Well, as someone who was willing to cut JTL a bit of slack, that just went right out the window with that explanation. Tylers twin mark2, Lance's saddlesore mark3 etc

 

[SundayRider]

Link?............

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/ot...cke-face-anti-doping-disciplinary-action.html

Might not be that accurate though...

 

[thehog]

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/ot...cke-face-anti-doping-disciplinary-action.html

Might not be that accurate though...

A talented climber who burst on to the international scene in early 2012, Tiernan-Locke signed a two-year contract with Sky – reputed to be worth £400,000 a year – at the beginning of 2013, but he has had a disastrous first season with the team that has produced the last two Tour de France champions in Bradley Wiggins and Chris Froome.

400k! Obviously Sky had faith in him to "respond"?

He was on 35k at Endura.

Good Times!

 

[roundabout]

Ha. The guy get's almost half a million based on winning races where there was little testing and a couple of performance tests.

Haha.

 

[thehog]

Ha. The guy get's almost half a million based on winning races where there was little testing and a couple of performance tests.

Haha.

They well knew what they were buying from April 2012. A responder.

Sky's April training camp

Despite having been ill after the Settimana Coppi e Bartali, the capabilities Tiernan-Locke displayed at Sky's Tenerife training camp in April were instrumental in orchestrating his move for 2013.

"I had an SRM on and we were doing all these timed efforts and tests. Tim Kerrison was there analysing all that data, doing all the blood lactate checks and all that.

"I hadn't used power in a while and it surprised me. We set off at different intervals for an hour-long climbing test. It was half of their Tour de France team and me, and although we couldn't see each other because we set off at different times, I was right up there.

"Ever since that training camp I've changed a few things; my position has changed a bit and I'm not pushing such a

http://www.cyclingweekly.co.uk/news/latest/535775/jonathan-tiernan-locke-ready-for-sky-move.html

 

[Dazed and Confused]

Ha. The guy get's almost half a million based on winning races where there was little testing and a couple of performance tests.

Haha.

Perhaps other qualities we don't know of: funny when boozed up, knows the best coffeehouses etc.

 

[SundayRider]

They well knew what they were buying from April 2012. A responder.



http://www.cyclingweekly.co.uk/news/latest/535775/jonathan-tiernan-locke-ready-for-sky-move.html

So why didn't he respond this year that is the million dollar (or 400K!) question? Doper's guilt? Or did he know he was being observed more closely? Or did they mess up his program? Or did he just become lazy with regards to training and 'preparation' knowing that he had a £35K a month salary coming in?

 

[Franklin]

So why didn't he respond this year that is the million dollar (or 400K!) question? Doper's guilt? Or did he know he was being observed more closely? Or did they mess up his program? Or did he just become lazy with regards to training and 'preparation' knowing that he had a £35K a month salary coming in?

You are forgetting a few reasons. And the first three certainly explain it even if there's a program.

Luck? Sick? Psychogical issues (could be unrelated to cycling)? Maybe there is no program at Sky?

Doping does not equate success (history has shown the other way around is a lot more defensible).

 

[sniper]

...
Doping does not equate success (history has shown the other way around is a lot more defensible).

agree with the first part of the sentence, but not sure if I follow the part between brackets?