Nolan Hoffman, the top sprinter who admitted he took a performance-enhancing substance in 2009, has been banned for 18 months by Cycling South Africa.
Hoffman, who tested positive for unacceptably high levels of testosterone after the Amashova race from Pietermaritzburg to Durban on October 18, was given a lesser ban than the two-year suspension the offence usually calls after he showed "remorse", said CSA.
"Hoffman admitted guilt, showed remorse for his actions and gave the hearing panel his full co-operation," CSA said.
"The CSA anti-doping disciplinary panel that met in Bloemfontein on February 3 subsequently reduced the suspension by six months dating back to the date of sample collection."
The news that Hoffman, one of the great development success stories of South African sport, had been caught doping shocked the South African cycling scene when it was first revealed early in January.
Hoffman had ridden for Team Neotel, an outfit focused on pushing young black talent, and the 24-year-old from Franschhoek had been their star rider.
When it was announced he had returned an positive sample, Neotel pulled the plug on their multi-million rand sponsorship of the team.
Hoffman finished second in the Argus Cycle Tour in 2007, beaten by Robbie Hunter, the Tour de France stage winner. He was also second in the Cycle Tour in 2006 and a former South African Under-23 champion.
"CSA has entered a new era, which includes raising the standard of our riders so that they are able to have a realistic chance at challenging for international titles," said CSA president Greg Till.
"Our riders need to take responsibility for their own actions and Nolan Hoffman's case confirms our intentions to clean up professional cycling in line with the relentless global moves in that direction."
Hoffman said he had taken the testosterone to help him overcome a knee injury that had been hampering his return to form and lamented his decision.
"I have disgraced the people and sponsors that supported me my whole career," said Hoffman, who added he had felt under pressure to perform. "I really hope this doesn't cause any damage to them and the sport. I have disappointed everyone and I will face everything that is coming to me, I am truly sorry."
Local cycling has stepped up its testing in recent times, with the top riders reporting that they'd been visited by Drug Free Sport South Africa for samples.
Team Medscheme, a squad owned by former Cycle Tour and South African champion Malcolm Lange, regularly post the findings of the tests on the members of their teams on their website in the interests of transparency.
"CSA has been working alongside Drug Free Sport South Africa for the past couple of years in an effort to clean up cycling," said Till.