Burden of proof on Froome

FOUR-TIME world time trial champion Tony Martin on Saturday retracted his attack on under-fire star Chris Froome, whom the German had accused of “special status” over an adverse drugs test.

On Thursday, the 32-yearold Martin wrote he was “totally angry” on Facebook and suggested that suspended Sky leader Froome and his British team “enjoy a special status”, which the German has now retracted.

“I now understand that the UCI is managing this case in accordance with the rules and that Chris Froome did not get any special treatment,” wrote Martin. “According to the rules, in a case involving a specified substance, every athlete shall have the chance to explain whether the numbers can be due to natural causes.”

Froome has admitted his adverse drugs test at the Vuelta a Espana in September is “damaging” as the four-time Tour de France winner battles to clear his name.

The British rider had twice the permissible amount of asthma medication Salbutamol in his system on September 7, following the 18th stage of the Grand Tour race he won for the first time.

Despite his retraction, Martin says he is angered by any doping cases in his sport.

“I am always very angry when another case in relation to anti-doping happened in our sport,” added the German.

“I will, as I always did, continue to take a strong position regarding the fight against doping. I will always remain an outspoken advocate for a 100 per cent clean sport.”

Former UCI president Pat McQuaid has called Froome’s result “a disaster” for cycling.

“I don’t see how Chris Froome can turn around like he did and say ‘I played by the rules, I broke no rules’,” McQuaid said. “The fact is, he has broken a rule. The fact is his urine sample was twice the permitted limit.

“It’s up to him to go and prove that he could have done otherwise.

“We’re now three months down the road, and they haven’t found a solution or a resolution to it yet.”