Jonathan Tiernan-Locke: Rider profile

Jonathan Tiernan Locke, Team Sky

Jonathan Tiernan-Locke

Date of birth: 26/12/1984

From: Plymouth, Devon

Team: Team Sky (suspended)

Previous teams: Endura Racing (2012), Rapha Condor Sharp (2010-11); Plowman Craven-Madison (2009)

Twitter: @j_t_locke

Jonathan Tiernan-Locke career history

Jonathan Tiernan-Locke first started competing in mountain bike racing at the age of 15. He switched to road racing at 18 with the Mid-Devon Cycling Club, and found he had a talent for the tarmac, rising from fourth to first category racer in just a few months.

The Devon man joined French outfit UV Aube in 2004 under the guidance of Mid-Devon CC's Colin Lewis - British finisher in the 1967 Tour de France. Success on the continent saw Tiernan-Locke picked for the Great Britain under-23 squad for the 2004 World Championships in Vernona. 

He appeared to be on a meteoric rise through the ranks when he was struck down by glandular fever in 2005. The illness effectively removed him from the scene for three years, during which time he studied product design at Bristol University. He returned to racing in 2008, but suffered another set-back when he collided with a horse during a Surrey League race, sustaining a broken nose, teeth and collarbone.

Tiernan-Locke signed for the Plowman Craven-Madison team for 2009, then to Rapha Condor Sharp in 2010. He won a stage of the FBD Insurance Ras in Ireland that year, but really came to the attention of international teams in 2011 with a stage win and second overall in the Vuelta Ciclista a Leon. His climbing prowess then earned him the 2011 Tour of Britain King of the Mountains title and fifth place overall.

After switching to Endura Racing for 2012, Tiernan-Locke immediately won the Tour of the Mediterranean, his first race of the season. He swiftly followed this with success in the Tour du Haut Var, climbing to win the final stage and overall classification.

Tiernan-Locke then became the first 'home' rider to win the modern version of the Tour of Britain in September 2012. He subsequently signed to the Sky team for 2013-14.

His first season for Team Sky was spent riding in the service of others but then ended in disastrous circumstances after the UCI's biological passport panel flagged up his baseline results as suspicious.

Leaked to the press on the eve of the world championships, Tiernan-Locke's explanation, or defence was not considered suitable and on Dec 16 the UCI announced a doping infringement had taken place (dating back to the end of 2012) and passed the case on the UKAD.

Tiernan-Locke vehemently denied any wrongdoing throughout but was immediately suspended by Team Sky. 

Jonathan Tiernan-Locke results

2012

Tour of the Mediterranean; stage one

Tour of the Mediterranean; stage four

Tour of the Mediterranean; overall

Tour du Haut Var; stage two

Tour du Haut Var; overall

Tour Alsace; stage two

Tour Alsace; stage four

Tour Alsace; overall

Tour of Britain; overall

2011

Tour of Britain; King of the mountains

Vuelta Ciclista a Leon; stage four

Ryedale Grand Prix

2010

FBD Insurance Ras; Stage five

Jock Wadley Memorial road race

2008

Memorial Battle of Crete; Stage 1a

Memorial Battle of Crete; Points classification

Jonathan Tiernan-Locke photos

Related links

Cycling Weekly Rider Profiles index

South Devon with Jonathan Tiernan-Locke (2008)

Thank you for reading 20 articles this month* Join now for unlimited access

Enjoy your first month for just £1 / $1 / €1

*Read 5 free articles per month without a subscription

Join now for unlimited access

Try first month for just £1 / $1 / €1

Founded in 1891, Cycling Weekly and its team of expert journalists brings cyclists in-depth reviews, extensive coverage of both professional and domestic racing, as well as fitness advice and 'brew a cuppa and put your feet up' features. Cycling Weekly serves its audience across a range of platforms, from good old-fashioned print to online journalism, and video.