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Team Sky back Sergio Henao as CADF look into biological passport readings

Colombian withdrawn from competition for second time due to investigation into biological passport

Team Sky have backed Sergio Henao, after withdrawing the Colombian from racing for a second time while the Cycling Anti-Doping Foundation investigate his biological passport.

Henao was first withdrawn by the team in 2014 while they conducted their own investigations into readings given by the 28-year-old during out-of-competition control tests at altitude in his Colombia.

And the CADF have now contacted Henao for more information about readings on his Athlete Blood Passport, which Team Sky say include the same readings which prompted their own research.

Henao has been withdrawn from racing, as is Team Sky’s policy, while the investigation is carried out, but the British WorldTour team hope the Colombian will bounce back again.

Sergio Henao has been withdrawn from racing as a result of his blood values for a second time (pic: Sirotti)

In a statement on the team website, Sir Dave Brailsford said: “We believe in Sergio. He has just come back to full fitness after spending eight months recovering from a potentially career-ending crash.

“But we respect the CADF process and will apply our team policy in the circumstances.

“We will continue to support him fully during this period so he can get back to racing as soon as possible.”

Team Sky ended their investigation satisfied to allow Henao to return to racing, only for him to suffer a bad injury after crashing into a car. Now Brailsford believes CADF will rule the same way as the team in 2014.

“The physiology of ‘altitude natives’ is a complex area,” he explained. “The science is limited and in recent years we have proactively sought to understand it better by undertaking detailed scientific research – both for Sergio and for the benefit of clean sport more widely.

“We recognise why the CADF have raised this issue as it is one we have obviously raised ourselves. Thus far Sergio’s data has been anonymous to the CADF experts.

“We hope and believe they will reach the same conclusions when they consider the background and all the evidence over the coming weeks.”

Sergio Henao and cousin Sebastian train on the Mur de Huy, but Sergio will now miss the rest of the Ardennes Classics (pic: Sirotti)

Henao, who will now miss the remainder of the Ardennes Classics, said he was “beyond disappointed” by the latest setback to his career, but remained hopeful he would be back in the pro peloton very soon.

“I have worked incredibly hard to get back to racing fitness after shattering my knee last year,” he said, “but I know who I am, how hard I have worked and the sacrifices I have made to be where I am today.

“I am calm and confident that this will be resolved soon so I can get back to racing as soon as possible.”

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