Jon Tiernan-Locke rejects ProTeam approaches and commits himself to Endura Racing for 2012

Amazing how many will defend the British or enlish speaking riders, but condem any random Spaniard or Belgian for exactly the same kinda results

Well done JTL, although I think he should have taken the offer... he's 27 no spring chicken in cycling terms

sorry but without wanting to sound overly negative, a rider who comes from essentially nowhere at the age of 27 to take the wins that JTL has taken in such a dominant style have to be looked at with a slighty jaundiced eye.

Especially when the races he won were not tested races and the team he races for is not subject to the biological passport.

He has been a prospect for a few years and I understand about the illness and the University study. Obviously I am chuffed to see another Brit doing well, but he is certainly not above suspicion.

Hoping he stays fit & strong for Sky in 2013!?
With his climbing strength and strong uphill finish there are many races & tours he's likely to be suited to....looking forward to watching his career. Met him briefly just before final stage of ToB & he seemed like a good guy.

@fiftyacorn, bear in mind if he goes into a pro team he might end up running round as a domestique for a while and disspaear into the peleton, if he nails lots of victories in 2012 with endura, he can raise is profile as high as possible and maybe end up at the sharper end of the team selection. thats a possible answer anyway

JTL was sublime to watch in the hills of last years ToB for Rapha Condor. He WILL take the Polka Dots at The Tour within 5 years. Put your money on it right now.

i dont get why any pro would turn down the chance for the pro-tour - cycling teams will ditch riders soon enough, so you have to cash in when you can. loyalty is seldom repaid in this sport

Fair enough, thanks for clarifying. I have just bought CW and came back here to answer my own question - apparently Marc Madiot is throwing a strop that JTLs continental-ranked team isn't subject to the blood passport scheme. Yes, slightly hilarious given that he employs yoann offredo.

I went for a ride with JTL a couple of years ago. He told me how many hours a week he was riding at the time. I think you need look no further to find out why he's doing so well...

35.

I think its spot on, he is incredible to watch but I did wonder why is hitting the scene at 27. I had a quick scan on wikipedia (which has now been updated) and the rider profile on cyclingnews a couple of weeks back but came out non the wiser so thanks for giving us his back story. I hope he continues this great form!

People always think the worst. Very sad.

"they have been looking after me and they have taken some steps to make sure I stay with the team" Ace!!!!! As subtle as it gets £££££ Well done JTL - richly deserved pay rise

Saxo definitely could use some UCI points.

After watching JTL blow everyone away up Gun Hill in the ToB last year with very little discernible effort on his part I'm in awe. Good luck to him for 2012 and whoever snaps him up next year. I'd love to see him try for KOM points on the Giro or the TDF. He could have 5 more good years in him still and it would be great for GB to see him use them.

Simon's point is that while there might be raised eyebrows at a relatively late and swift rise, in JTL's case it's entirely understandable due to the circumstances of his illness and study. is that not clear?

given the current state of the sport of bike racing it'd be rather naive to think that someone's going to come on the scene and win two fairly major races and no-one's going to think anything other than good thoughts for him. hence Simon filling in JTL's back story to give some context.

Not surprised he is getting head hunted but I did wonder at the time why he wasn't with a bigger team.

I remember seeing him last year in the Tour of Britain and he looked really strong.

I find it really honourable he wants to see his contract out.

I think what was meant was that if this was a rider from (for example) the Spanish or South American domestic scene it may raise a few eyebrows as we wouldn't necessarily know the backstory. WE know that there's no reason to be suspicious of JTL, as we know his past history.

@mrchrispy +1 from me

I had to read that bit twice before I realised what it implied. Can you tell us which 'quarters' in which eyebrows are being raised?

Sorry, but this is no better than so-called anonymous 'sources' suggesting shit in red-top tabloids.

Good for JTL, and good on him for not simply being swayed by the bright lights and bigger money of the worldtour teams. Maybe we'll see him on the bigger races next year. At 27, he could be around for a few years yet.

(If you read this Jon, please don't make me eat my words above! )

Quote:

In some quarters, eyebrows might be raised at a cyclist aged in his late twenties bursting onto the scene in the way the Endura Racing rider has done.

Do we really need to even go here?

The thought didnt even enter my mind until reading that paragraph...to me hes just a good rider grafting hard.

Its great to see a British cyclist doing what he does best and is committed to it, I just hope that he can keep his form up and maybe get an offer from a Pro team next year

I heard Sky made an offer....

Great to see his success and great to see his commitment to his team.
Let's hope that translates into more invitations to the team from race organisers so we can continue to see Endura perform against the big teams.

i wonder who these pro teams are?

imagines the phone call: 'Hi is that Jon? Its barne Riis here. I wondered if you were free to ride for a GC in July, I wouldn't ordinarily offer but...'

more seriously, good to see more british success