US team official Klier banned for doping

[August 16, 2013]  (AP) -- Retired German cyclist Andreas Klier has accepted a six-month ban after admitting to doping during his career.

The U.S. Anti-Doping Agency says the 37-year-old Klier -- who works for American team Garmin-Sharp as a sporting director -- told the agency he used EPO, human growth hormone, cortisone and blood transfusions from 1999-2006.

Klier forfeits all results obtained from July 2005, including a stage win at the 2007 Spanish Vuelta.

USADA chief executive Travis Tygart says in a statement that the agency appreciates Klier's "willingness to provide full and truthful testimony about the culture of drug use in cycling."

Klier retired from riding in April.

[Associated Press]

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