Former cyclist Bobby Julich admits to doping, released as Team Sky coach

Former U.S. cyclist Bobby Julich is the latest rider to come forward about PED use. He was relieved of his Team Sky coaching duties after his confession. (Bryn Lennon/Getty Images)

Former U.S. cyclist Bobby Julich admitted to using PEDs during the late 1990s and was subsequently relieved of his duties as a coach with Team Sky on Thursday. The British team asked staff and riders to confirm they had no links to doping in a move to clean up the sport after the USADA report that led to Lance Armstrong being stripped of his seven Tour de France titles.

Julich, who was a teammate of Armstrong's between 1995 and 1997, admitted to using EPO between August 1996 and July 1998. His wife discovered that he was doping during the 1998 Tour de France when he finished third, the best result of his career. In his confession letter, which was sent to Cycling News, Julich said:

"Those days were very different from today, but it was not a decision that I reached easily. I knew that it was wrong, but over those two years, the attitude surrounding the use of EPO in the peloton was so casual and accepted that I personally lost perspective of the gravity of the situation…. I apologise to everyone, especially those associated with Team Sky for my past indiscretions. I made some poor decisions and have paid and will pay a huge price."

Julich spent two years with Team Sky. He also left a message to new cyclists in his confession letter:

"To this new generation of young riders; I hope that you will learn from the past and avoid the mistakes many of us have made. It is up to your generation to insure that the issues of the past do not affect your future. I am truly sorry that you all are dealing with something that you had no part in creating."