Sky withdraws cyclist Sergio Henao from racing

LONDON (AP) — Team Sky has withdrawn Colombian rider Sergio Henao from racing after a monthly review raised questions over his blood values.

Team leader Dave Brailsford said in a statement on Wednesday that squad experts "had questions about Sergio's out-of-competition control tests at altitude, tests introduced this winter by the anti-doping authorities. We need to understand these readings better."

The 26-year-old Henao was born at altitude in Rionegro, Colombia, and lives and trains in that region in the off-season. He returned there in October and had WADA-accredited out-of-competition tests.

Brailsford said Henao will be left out of the race schedule for at least eight weeks while he is subjected to an altitude research program, adding that "it's important not to jump to conclusions."