De Jongh leaves Sky after doping admission

LONDON (AFP) –

Steven de Jongh, pictured in 2007, has stepped down from his role as Team Sky’s sporting director after admitting to using performance-enhancing drugs during his career, the British team announced on Monday.

Steven de Jongh has stepped down from his role as Team Sky’s sporting director after admitting to using performance-enhancing drugs during his career, the British team announced on Monday.

“Steven de Jongh has left Team Sky following three seasons as sports director,” read a statement from Team Sky.

“After the team reaffirmed its position on anti-doping, Steven disclosed that he had taken a banned substance earlier in his career as a professional rider.”

De Jongh, 38, wrote in a letter published on www.cyclingweekly.co.uk that his decision to dope was an individual one not soemthing imposed on him by ambitious team chiefs.

“I’ve been shocked by the stories and rumours of organised doping programmes because I’ve simply never seen anything like that.

“My experience was very different. My doping was done by me, and nobody ever forced me. Of course, I always knew it was wrong and was scared of the risks I was taking. And I will always regret what I did.

“I took EPO on a few occasions from 1998 to 2000. It was very easy to get hold of and I knew it couldn’t be detected.

“With the steps we’ve been taking in cycling there is a better chance than ever to compete in a clean sport.”

De Jongh, who enjoyed modest success as a rider before retiring in 2009, is the third staff member to leave the team after Sky announced a zero-tolerance stance on doping in the aftermath of the Lance Armstrong scandal.

Senior sports director Sean Yates announced his retirement from professional cycling on Sunday, while American Bobby Julich left the squad last week after admitting that he took banned blood-booster EPO during his racing career.

Team Sky principal Dave Brailsford said: “There’s no doubt about Steven’s work with us or his approach. He’s been a highly valued sports director and colleague over three seasons.

“Steven deserves our respect for the courage he’s shown in being honest about the past and it’s right that we do our best to support him.

“He has our best wishes for the next step in his career.”