Former professional Jonathan Tiernan-Locke has been given a second category racing licence by British Cycling as he makes his comeback to the sport after serving a doping suspension.
The Devon rider, who rode for Team Sky and Endura before his two-year ban, is unhappy with the decision to give him a second cat licence, as he was hoping to re-enter racing at a higher level.
Talking to the Torquay Herald Express, the 31-year-old said: "I know these things can be discretionary, and I haven't been allowed to ride for two years. But I held an elite licence every year I raced since 2003, so I think BC might give me at least a first cat one now."
"It would be a bit petty if they make me start as a second cat, and I would be concerned if they stick to it because that might make it more difficult for me to get into national races, especially early in the season," he said.
Tiernan-Locke was banned from riding for two years, until December 31 2015, for anomalies in his anti-doping biological passport relating to samples taken in 2012.
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Jonathan Tiernan-Locke
He was also stripped of the 2012 Tour of Britain victory and sacked by Team Sky. Sky had signed Tiernan-Locke for 2013 on the strength of his 2012 season, where he also won the Tour Alsace and Tour du Haut Var.
Although it is rumoured that several teams have expressed an interest in having Tiernan-Locke ride for them in 2016, he will take part in the Primavera Road Race as an independent rider.
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Nigel Wynn worked as associate editor on CyclingWeekly.com, he worked almost single-handedly on the Cycling Weekly website in its early days. His passion for cycling, his writing and his creativity, as well as his hard work and dedication, were the original driving force behind the website’s success. Without him, CyclingWeekly.com would certainly not exist on the size and scale that it enjoys today. Nigel sadly passed away, following a brave battle with a cancer-related illness, in 2018. He was a highly valued colleague, and more importantly, an exceptional person to work with - his presence is sorely missed.
