Froome’s out to win fifth Tour
CHRIS FROOME intends to go for a record-equalling fifth Tour de France crown this summer – even if the investigation into his adverse drugs test is unresolved.
The four-time winner has returned to competitive racing for the first time since a doping sample revealed twice the permitted level of asthma drug salbutamol in his urine.
Froome insisted: “I’m not looking for the benefit of the doubt, I’m just asking for a fair process.”
Froome finished in the bunch on the 122-mile first stage of the five-day Ruta del Sol in southern Spain.
Some of his rivals – and world governing body UCI president David Lappartient – believe he should not be allowed to race until an antidoping tribunal rules on his adverse test result. But Froome plans to ride on – even if his case remains unresolved before the Giro d’Italia in May, or Le Tour in July.
He said: “I’m still allowed to race now and I don’t see why I can’t carry on. I know I’ve done nothing wrong.”
At his tribunal, Froome must prove there was a scientific explanation for the high concentration of salbutamol at the Vuelta in Spain, five months ago.
Team Sky principal Sir Dave Brailsford said: “What we are talking about is an inhaler. It’s a puffer – how many times is he allowed to use his puffer?
“You’re allowed to use it 16 times in 24 hours and the question here is, ‘Did he use it more than that?’
“The rules aren’t about the urine, or the levels (of salbutamol). They are around the number of times of use – and I can guarantee you he hasn’t gone over the use.”