Froome back in the saddle in Spain for season debut

LONDON: Britain’s Chris Froome will make his 2018 season debut at next week’s Ruta del Sol, his Team Sky said.

The 32-year-old four-time Tour de France winner is under investigation after returning an adverse drugs test at last year’s Tour of Spain which he won.

He was found to have double the allowed amount of the legal drug Salbutamol in his system in a test after stage 18 of the Vuelta in September.

Team Sky and Froome, who has denied any wrongdoing, are presenting their case to the International Cycling Union.

“I’m confident that we will be able to get to the bottom of what has happened and I’m working hard with the team to do that,” Froome said in a statement on Monday.

“Obviously, I understand that this situation has created a lot of uncertainty. I completely get why there has been so much interest and speculation.”

The Ruta del Sol starting on Feb 14 will be his first competitive appearance since his third-place finish in the time trial at the world championships in Norway last September. Team principal Dave Brailsford admitted it was a tough situation.

“We all recognise that these are difficult circumstances but it’s important for all sides that this process is conducted fairly before a final conclusion is reached,” he said.

“It is a complex situation but we’re working as hard as we can with Chris to resolve things as soon as possible.”

Froome will line up in the five-day stage race in Andalusia, which he won three years ago, after a training stint in South Africa.