Cycling: Team stands by Henderson after Twitter controversy

Greg Henderson. Photo / File.

Greg Henderson's Belgian team is standing by the New Zealand cyclist following his controversial comments on Twitter.

Henderson is facing potential legal action from Italian rider Fabio Aru after Henderson accused him of feigning illness and labelled him a cheat.

"Sad to see @fabaro1 'sick'. Mate make sure next time u come back to our sport 'healthy'. Aka Clean! #biopassport! Or don't come back!" Henderson wrote on Twitter.

Henderson, who won gold for New Zealand on the track at the 2002 Commonwealth Games, followed it up with another tweet. "I am so sick of it. It becomes common knowledge within days. Why try cheat."

He quickly removed the Twitter posts, before issuing an apology the next morning.
"When you are sick. You are sick. Jumping to conclusions helps nobody. My mistake @FabioAru1. I should shut my mouth. Sincere apologies."

But Henderson said his team manager has backed him.

"Marc Sergeant said I don't even have to apologise if I don't want to. It's up to you, twitter is your own views. Not like I'm tweeting on behalf of anyone else."

Henderson says he's yet to hear from Aru or his attorney.

"It's one of those things in our sport where we really can't speak our minds because we might get in trouble."