Banned British cyclist blames binge for doping ban

LONDON (AP) British cyclist Jonathan Tiernan-Locke blamed an ''alcoholic binge'' as the reason behind abnormal results in his blood sample that led to him being banned from the sport for two years.

UK Anti-Doping published its findings on the Tiernan-Locke case on Monday, confirming his suspension after the rider was found to have used ''a prohibited substance and/or prohibited method (blood doping) to boost his levels of haemoglobin.''

The UKAD says Tiernan-Locke insisted that he had an ''exceptional and extreme intake of alcohol'' on a night out with his girlfriend two days before his blood sample was taken on Sept. 20, 2012, followed by ''a period of severe dehydration.''

UKAD says the explanation ''did not sufficiently explain the abnormal values'' in his sample.

Tiernan is banned until Dec. 31, 2015.