Australian cycling team dismisses director after doping admission

Orica-GreenEDGE director Matt White has been dismissed by the Australian team, after he admitted to doping during his racing career.

White, formerly professional men's co-ordinator with Cycling Australia, confessed to doping following the release of evidence in the Lance Armstrong doping case.

White was mentioned in the report and he confessed to doping while riding for Armstrong's US Postal team between 2001 and 2003.

Orica-GreenEDGE owner Gerry Ryan issued a statement on the team's official website which read: "Orica-GreenEDGE is a clean team and our commitment to being clean has been a foundation principle of the team since the day of its inception.

"To maintain public confidence in our strict adherence to this principle OGE has appointed an eminent and independent external expert to audit the rigour and effectiveness of the team's anti-doping policies and procedures.

"Professional cycling is at a crossroads. The future of the sport is being determined by what we do today.

"OGE will not step back from taking any necessary decision to protect the integrity of the sport and the team and to restore the confidence of cycling fans around the world.

"It's time to put our values to work. OGE believes a hardline approach is an essential pre-requisite to continue in the sport with credibility."

White lost his part-time job with Cycling Australia two weeks ago.

Orica-GreenEdge also announced they will be conducting a review, similar to that being undertaken by Team Sky, home of Tour de France winner Bradley Wiggins.

A statement from the Australian team read: "In order to send the clearest possible signal of OGE's (Orica-GreenEdge) commitment to a clean team, OGE is proactively reviewing all riders and team members. This is being undertaken in consultation with all relevant agencies and will take into account any new evidence.

"The team has appointed Nicki Vance to lead this review. Vance established the testing and international programs for the Australian Sports Drug Agency (ASDA), headed up the anti-doping programme for the Sydney organising committee for the Olympic Games and was a start up director for the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA).

"She has been an independent anti-doping consultant since 2002.

"The objectives of the Vance Review are specific and straightforward: 1. Confirm that Orica-GreenEdge's anti-doping policies, protocols and recruitment procedures are world's best practice and are being implemented without exception; and 2. Recommend and oversee the implementation of any necessary enhancements."