FROOME’S IN FIGHT TO WIN OVER CRITICS

CYCLING

BRITISH CYCLING chief Stephen Park admits Chris Froome faces a battle to win over doping hawks, who “want the tall poppies chopped down”. Tour de France legend Froome, 32, (below) is fighting to clear his name after a sample five months ago contained twice the permitted level of asthma medication salbutamol. Park said: “I’m not sure there is a specific anti-Chris Froome agenda. When you are the top athlete in your sport, there are going to be people in divided camps. “There are people who want those tall poppies chopped down, but it is in everyone’s best interests that this is resolved as quickly as possible. “I believe the public are still right behind British cycling.”