Kiwi cyclist's ban a bolt from the blue

Cyclist Adam Stewart's two-year ban for attempted use of prohibited substances has come as a bolt from the blue for BikeNZ, chief executive Kieran Turner said.

Stewart's suspension was imposed by the Sports Tribunal for attempted use of erythropoietin, or EPO, and for possession of human chorionic gonadotrophin (hCG).

EPO is a performance-enhancing drug used as a blood booster while hCG is a pregnancy hormone which can be used to keep testosterone ratios unchanged, vital in avoiding the detection of the presence of other prohibited substances.

Stewart has been dropped from the New Zealand team for next month's Commonwealth Games in New Delhi.

The Canterbury rider competed at the 2006 Melbourne Commonwealth Games, finishing 14th in the individual sprint as well as being part of the men's sprint team who finished fourth.

Turner said BikeNZ had been shaken by the finding and described Stewart's actions as "incredibly stupid".

"It's a real shock for New Zealand cycling - there's very few of these sort of infringements in New Zealand sport in general," Turner said.

"It's a big surprise to us."

He said Stewart had not returned a positive test, but his two-year ban was for the importation of banned substances, "which is an equally serious offence".

A Sports Tribunal statement said the violations related to two incidents where Stewart imported prohibited substances by post, which were intercepted by New Zealand Customs.

After being interviewed by a Drug Free Sport New Zealand representative, Stewart admitted ordering and purchasing the substances for himself, and to an earlier incident in 2009 where he ordered and received hCG but got rid of it without using it.

At a hearing on Tuesday, Stewart admitted the violations. The Sports Tribunal said his prompt admission and co-operation led it to opt for a minimum sanction of a two-year ban instead of imposing the maximum four-year penalty.

The cyclist issued a statement through his lawyer today.

"I have made a huge mistake and I realise that even though I've never taken any performance-enhancing drugs, I've still done something terribly wrong," he said.

"I am terribly embarrassed at the decisions I have made and this is something that I will have to live with forever."

Turner said BikeNZ felt extremely let down by Stewart's actions, and fully supported the Sports Tribunal's decision and the investigation process carried out by Drug Free Sport New Zealand.

"We work really hard with culture and values for athletes, we do the drug-free sport education, we're creating a positive environment where the riders can perform to their best level," Turner said.

"But you can only go so far. I guess the thing is making sure you are set up to catch people that don't fit into that.

"We have zero tolerance if you breach any of our internal code of conduct and values."

Stewart left New Zealand two months ago with the sprint squad to train and compete in the United States and Europe in preparation for the Commonwealth Games.

Once advised of the investigation, BikeNZ met Stewart, who agreed to leave the squad immediately and return to New Zealand.

Turner said the team had cover within the sprint squad for New Delhi, but officials would discuss possible options with the New Zealand Olympic Committee to add to the squad.

"But we're incredibly fortunate with the depth in our sprint squad. We have five riders competing for three spots and that's a fantastic position to be in."

He said BikeNZ had worked extremely hard in the last three years to establish a world class high performance culture and discipline, and had ''zero tolerance'' towards drug use.

"I guess that's part of having a growing successful programme. There will be these people that for one reason or another seek an advantage.

"I think what this has shown is that the systems we have in place will capture those people, so we can continue to run a fantastically clean programme."

- NZPA