FROOME IS ADVISED NOT TO COMPETE

CHRIS Froome should not defend his Tour de France title while his doping case is unresolved, International Cycling Union president David Lappartient said.

Four-time Tour winner Froome is locked in a legal and scientific wrangle with t h e g ov e r n i n g b o dy ’s independent anti-doping unit, the CADF, over an adverse finding for the asthma drug salbutamol at the Vuelta a Espana.

The Team Sky cyclist is competing at the TirrenoAdriatico race in Italy and intends to compete in May’s Giro d’Italia and this summer’s Tour de France.

“I hope as soon as possible, and this is very important for our sport to have a decision, whether it’s guilty or not guilty but we need to have a decision as soon as possible for Chris Froome himself, for his team, for us, for cycling,” Lappartient said.

“That was my thought to rest him. I asked Team Sky and him to consider what is the best way. I think even for them, for Chris Froome, for Team Sky and for cycling.

“I think if we have no decision before the Tour de France, I will ask them to reconsider maybe their position and to consider my first proposition.”

Lappartient was speaking amid the fallout of the damning Digital Culture, Media and Sport report, which said medical treatment was used to prepare former Team Sky rider Sir Bradley Wiggins “and possibly other riders supporting him”.