Aussie cycling coach Matt White poised to resume career after serving doping ban

CYCLING coach Matt White is poised to resume his career after serving a ban for doping while a teammate of Lance Armstrong.

Matt White

CYCLING coach Matt White is poised to resume his career after serving a ban for doping while a teammate of disgraced Lance Armstrong.

The Herald Sun understands White could soon return to the European peloton in a move certain to be welcomed by the international cycling community.

White's decision to confess his guilt to doping while riding with Armstrong's US Postal Service team between 2001-3 saw the highly respected mentor lose jobs with Cycling Australia and Orica-GreenEDGE.

But industry sources yesterday indicated White had completed a six-month suspension - believed to be from the Australian Sports Anti-Doping Authority.

The Olympian has been investigated by a number of agencies and has also been the subject of an Orica-GreenEDGE-commissioned probe by Nicki Vance.

The results of Vance's investigation are expected to be finalised within two weeks.

White stood down from his CA position and as sports director of the Orica-GreenEDGE team last year when it was revealed he engaged in illegal practices during an era when doping was rife.

But the Sydneysider's commitment to clean riding while a sports director at Garmin and subsequently Orica-GreenEDGE has won him significant global praise.

That support seems certain to have White’s expertise in demand among World Tour teams, including Australian-owned Orica-GreenEDGE.

Orica-GreenEDGE officials yesterday would not comment on White's eligibility to return to cycling or the team's possible reunion with its former director.

But the Herald Sun understands White almost certainly will be offered the opportunity to return to his former job.

There are precedents in World Tour ranks for such a move.

Garmin boss Jonathan Vaughters, a confessed doper while riding with Armstrong, has founded his team on rigid anti-doping virtues.

One of Garmin’s most celebrated riders David Millar, another former doper, is an avowed crusader for clean riding.

White was no less zealous in his time with Garmin and Orica-GreenEDGE.

That approach - and his candid response to investigators - is likely to win him a chance at redemption.