SORRY CHRIS, YOUR VICTORY IS TAINTED

WITHOUT doubt Chris Froome’s triumph in the Giro d’Italia is one of the achievements of the sporting year. His breakneck attack from 80km out during stage 19 on Friday was exhilarating, combining levels of bravery, physical endurance and recklessness in the downhill descents that bordered on lunacy. Inescapably, though, it wasn’t good for cycling. With such a cloud over his head, for Froome to perform so exceptionally at the Giro just increases the levels of mistrust and suspicion swirling around his sport. It will be the same at the Tour de France, if Froome’s circumstances are not resolved. ‘I don’t ride according to what Twitter trolls are going to write about,’ Froome (right) snapped, after winning the race. Nor should he, but he might have given some consideration to cycling’s wellbeing. He must be cleared if this act is not to appear as selfish in hindsight as it was stunning live.