Company says it wants to help clean up cycling

A month after its cycling team was rocked by a doping scandal, CSC announced Wednesday it would continue as sponsor.

There had been speculation the El Segundo-based computer services company might end its six-year relationship with Team CSC after the cycling team’s manager, Danish cycling star Bjarne Riis, acknowledged using illegal doping substances during his 1996 Tour de France victory.

Instead, the company said it would focus on taking an active role in cleaning up the drug-plagued sport.

“We take Bjarne’s situation seriously,” corporate spokesman Mike Dickerson said. “We’ve taken the time we needed to carefully consider the facts. Our decision to remain with the team is based on our belief that the sport of cycling is potentially turning a corner and that there is now a general will to eliminate doping and make the sport more transparent.”

CSC recently instituted a precedent-setting drug testing program that includes more random tests and agreements from team members to release their DNA upon request.

“Right now, CSC’s doping program is pretty much acknowledged as the best there is and Riis has been a leader in this,” Dickerson said.

Riis was the first winner to acknowledge using illegal substances and Tour de France officials have said he is not welcome as part of the CSC team at this year’s race, which begins July 7 in London.

Dickerson said the company would “address that problem if it arises” should race officials ban Riis.

With CSC staying on as a sponsor, cycling avoids what could have been a crippling blow. Some sponsors of top teams annually invest more than $10 million and CSC also is the computer technical support provider for the Tour de France and sponsors other races during the season.

Henrik Bo Pedersen, the CSC executive who oversees sponsorship, said in a statement: “Needless to say, we are deeply disappointed by Bjarne Riis’ recent admission of past doping, but we accept Bjarne’s apologies and believe that his candor and his commitment to cleaning up the sport represents a potential turning point for cycling.”

Discovery Channel, the main U.S.-based pro-level team, is already searching for a new sponsor. The cable television network, citing drug scandals within the sport, has announced it was withdrawing its support after this season.

diane.pucin@latimes.com