GUNNISLAKE cyclist Jonathan Tiernan-Locke had to settle for second place in his first race back since serving a doping ban.

Tiernan-Locke completed a two year ban from racing on December 31 after he was found guilty of using the banned blood booster EPO by a UK anti-doping panel. His first race back was the 53 kilometre Primavera Road Race at Hatherleigh on Sunday.

Speaking to the Times before his return, Tiernan-Locke said he ’would be a bit gutted’ if he didn’t win on his return but had to settle for second place as the race was won by Liam Bromiley, who rides for the University of Bath Cycling Club.

Bromiley finished in 2.06.12, 28 seconds ahead of Tiernan-Locke. The podium was completed by another University of Bath rider, Frazier Carr.

Tiernan-Locke led out his new four-man team Saint Piran, named after the patron saint of Cornwall. He set up the team after initially planning to come back as an independent.

See Thursday’s paper for more details.