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Oz ex-cyclist given 6-month ban

Melbourne - Former Australian cyclist Matt White said on Friday he had received a back-dated six-month ban after admitting to doping during his professional career.

White released a statement saying the Australian Sports Anti-Doping Authority (ASADA) had informed him of the penalty last Friday.

The ban, which has already expired, began on October 13 last year and ended on April 13.

The Australian Associated Press said it understood the ban was reduced from one year because White cooperated with anti-doping authorities.

White said he hoped to return to a role in cycling.

The Australian Olympic Committee has said that White will never again be part of an Australian Games team. White was the men's road team director at last year's London Olympics.

White, 38, admitted to being part of a general strategy of doping when he rode on the Armstrong-led US Postal Services team from 2001 to 2003.

He announced last October that he was stepping down from his jobs as the sports director of the Australian professional team Orica-GreenEDGE and coordinator of Cycling Australia's men's road racing programme.

"There is no doubt that if I could have my time again I would never have engaged in the culture that was both accepted and expected of professional riders during my racing career," White said in a statement.

"In saying that I accept full responsibility for my actions and there is no one to blame but myself for the decisions I made as an athlete in the past.

"I would like to apologise to my family, friends and all those associated with the sport of cycling for my use of prohibited substances during my racing career.

"I hope that I can repay the faith and trust showed to me in the past by leading the ongoing fight for a clean sport in the future."


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