Sergio Henao returns to racing after altitude tests

Sergio Henao will resume racing with Team Sky at the Tour de Suisse this Saturday after undergoing scientific testing to explain out-of-competition test anomalies.

Sky withdrew Henao from his race programme in mid-March after questions were raised as a result of the team’s internal out-of-competition control tests.

Henao underwent 10 weeks of independent testing at altitude in his native Colombia and at base level in Europe to ascertain a reason behind his values - although the exact nature of the original test anomalies were never fully explained.

Tests were carried out by a team from the University of Sheffield, and Sky says the results give it the "highest level of confidence in Sergio’s previous data and profiles".

"By taking this structured, scientific approach, we’ve gained a better understanding of his readings and specific physiology and valuable insights into the effects of altitude," said Sky team principal David Brailsford.

"Our approach has been fair to both the rider and the team, and whilst it was our decision to take him out of racing, it is also ours that he returns with our full backing. He’s done everything that’s been asked of him, kept his focus and fully deserves to be racing."

In a statement issued on Wednesday, Sky said that the findings of the research have already been passed to the World Anti-Doping Agency, Union Cycliste Internationale and the Cycling Anti-Doping Foundation.

Henao will join Bradley Wiggins in Sky's line-up for the Tour de Suisse, which runs from Saturday June 14 to Sunday June 22.

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Team Sky confirms that Colombian Sergio Henao will not race for eight weeks whilst altitude testing takes place to explain