Support road.cc

Like this site? Help us to make it better.

news

Jonathan Tiernan-Locke won’t be returning to pro cycling

Said he was ‘never that fit’ last season

Considering he won one second category race last season, it may be that you had already reached this conclusion – but now Jonathan Tiernan-Locke has reached it too. He told the Exeter Express and Echo that he lacks the motivation to return to the pro ranks.

Former Team Sky rider Tiernan-Locke served a two year ban as a result of a biological passport violation, returning to racing in 2016.

While he was unhappy to only be granted a Category 2 licence – describing British Cycling’s decision as “a bit petty” – he didn’t do much to prove them wrong, winning only the Modbury Spring Road Race, a regional A event in South Devon.

"I'm glad I raced last year, even if I was never that fit, as I felt I needed to come back and compete at some level,” he said.

"I just about did the bare minimum in training, often missing a few days' riding at a time – and that was the polar opposite to the way I was before.

"I have searched for the motivation, but the fact is that it's difficult to get fired up about the kind of races that I once saw as stepping-stones to the pro world.

"To make the sacrifices needed for me to be decent again, I'd need to be in a completely different mindset. And I wouldn't want to be a pro again anyway."

Tiernan-Locke now works renovating property and despite his attempts to launch the Saint Piran cycling team doesn’t seem to have much inclination to race even at lower levels for the time being.

"I love what I'm doing at the moment,” he said. "Although I'm 32, I haven't had a long career of racing, so if and when the desire to race returns, I might do another season.

"I still love riding, and I do intend to get back on the bike soon. But for now, I just plan to keep fit and enjoy being a social rider – even if I probably will get stuck in now and again."

Alex has written for more cricket publications than the rest of the road.cc team combined. Despite the apparent evidence of this picture, he doesn't especially like cake.

Add new comment

6 comments

Avatar
MoutonDeMontagne | 7 years ago
3 likes

At least he can drink all the booze and eat all the crisps he wants now, guilt free! 

Avatar
barbarus | 7 years ago
0 likes

He's probably best off out of it. I'm not trying to excuse what he did, but lots of people do silly things when they're young and under pressure. Not all of them get caught. If he's happy doing what he's doing and finds enjoyment in riding socially then good luck to him.

Avatar
SingleSpeed replied to barbarus | 7 years ago
0 likes

barbarus wrote:

He's probably best off out of it. I'm not trying to excuse what he did, but lots of people do silly things when they're young and under pressure. Not all of them get caught. If he's happy doing what he's doing and finds enjoyment in riding socially then good luck to him.

 

What did he do exactly?

Oh yes, threaten to expose SKY's naughty little secret's 

Such a shame for such a strong rider to get caught up and hung out to dry, no wonder he's no desire to ride pro again. 

Avatar
JPKD replied to SingleSpeed | 7 years ago
8 likes

SingleSpeed wrote:

What did he do exactly?

Oh yes, threaten to expose SKY's naughty little secret's 

 

Eh? It was after he joined Sky that his perfomances bombed and his passport 'values' returned to a lower level thus exposing the questionable nature of his Net-App Endura results. If JTL had anything to expose about Sky he strikes me as the type not to hold back. Shame we haven't heared anything in that case...

Avatar
Yorkshire wallet | 7 years ago
2 likes

Needs a different brand of jiggy bag. 

Avatar
Nick T | 7 years ago
1 like

Quelle dommage

Latest Comments