Former Team Sky cyclist Jonathan Tiernan-Locke's two-year ban was upheld by UK Anti-Doping

Tiernan-Locke was found guilty of using an erythropoiesis-stimulating agent and blood doping to illegally boost his levels of haemoglobin, with UKAD backing the International Cycling Union's (UCI) initial decision ruling handed down in July.

The 29-year-old Briton had provided irregular blood samples in his biological passport in September 2012 but had claimed at his hearing with UKAD that it was due to a heavy drinking session to celebrate a new contract with Sky.

But UKAD found that explanation unsatisfactory.

"On the basis of the expert evidence...we are entirely satisfied...that the explanation advanced on behalf of the rider [Tiernan-Locke] cannot explain the abnormal values obtained from the sample taken on September 20, 2012," UKAD wrote in the explanation of their decision.

Tiernan-Locke, who has already been sacked by Sky after the UCI's initial decision was announced, will be ineligible from competition until the start of 2016, while his results from the 2012 Tour of Britain and 2012 UCI Road World Championships have been disqualified.

UCI president Brian Cookson was pleased with how UKAD handled the case.

"I would like to thank UK Anti-Doping for their work in handling this case and providing the rider with a fair and independent hearing," he said.

"This case demonstrates how the UCI is working with partners on a global level to combat doping and protect our sport."

Tiernan-Locke declined the opportunity to appeal.