South African cyclist David George, a former teammate of Lance Armstrong, admitted using the blood-boosting drug EPO on Tuesday and said the sport had given him experiences "no person or young athlete should have to go through."
The former U.S. Postal Service rider failed an out-of-competition doping test on Aug. 29, the South African Institute for Drug-Free Sport said, and was provisionally suspended by Cycling South Africa ahead of an independent tribunal. He now faces a two-year ban.
"I fully understand the consequences of my admission and will bear the results of this," George said.
He apologized to his sponsors but Nedbank, the backer of his current 360Life team, said it was immediately withdrawing its sponsorship.
"Nedbank has a zero tolerance towards the use of any banned substances or performance enhancing drugs and does not condone or support such use in any sport," the South African bank said.
George cycled on the disgraced Armstrong's U.S. Postal team in 1999 and 2000 and was one of South Africa's top cyclists having won the South African time trial championships five times and road race championships in 2003.
He said he would not ask for his B sample to be tested and would accept his punishment.
"I know the result will ultimately be the same."
