Sergio Henao again withdrawn from racing by Team Sky

Team Sky has again withdrawn Colombian climber Sergio Henao from racing after he was contacted by the Cycling Anti-Doping Foundation (CADF) with a request for more information relating to readings on his Athlete Biological Passport.

Henao was previously taken off Sky’s racing roster in March 2014 while tests were conducted into the effect of his being born and raised at altitude. The decision was taken as a result of the team's own internal monitoring of Athlete Biological Passports and in response to out-of-competition control tests at altitude in Colombia.

The team asked the CADF for assistance and commissioned a 10-week research programme involving further tests at sea level and altitude. Henao was then due to return to racing at that year’s Tour de Suisse, although he then suffered a serious knee injury immediately preceding the race.

In a statement, Team Sky said that Henao had this week been contacted by the CADF with a request for more information regarding readings on his Athlete Biological Passport between August 2011 and June 2015 – a period which includes the readings which prompted the team to undertake its research in 2014.

A spokesman said:

“Sergio has not failed a drug test and the CADF process is conducted confidentially. However, given that we have raised this issue in the past, we feel it is important to set out our latest position.

“We continue to support Sergio and remain confident in the independent scientific research which was undertaken. We will be helping Sergio make his case robustly over the coming period. He will also withdraw from racing until the issue is resolved given this contact from the CADF and the very obvious distraction to him.  There is no obligation on us to do this but it is team policy if and when a formal process such as this begins.”

Sir Dave Brailsford said:

"The physiology of 'altitude natives' is a complex area. 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.

"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."

Sergio Henao said:

"I am beyond disappointed. I have worked incredibly hard to get back to racing fitness after shattering my knee last year - 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."