Froome joy as dope case is dropped

Chris Froome says he can now focus on equalling the record of five Tour de France wins after he was cleared by cycling’s world governing body of any wrongdoing in a doping case.

Froome had been racing under the cloud of a potential ban after a urine sample provided during his victory at the Vuelta a Espana in September showed a concentration of the asthma drug salbutamol that was twice the permitted level.

However, a statement from the Union Cycliste Internationale (UCI) said: “Froome’s sample results do not constitute an AAF (Adverse Analytical Finding). It went on to add that it had decided “to close the proceedings against Mr Froome”.

The Tour begins on Saturday and, before the UCI statement, race organisers the Amaury Sports Organisation were reportedly set to deny him entry.

Froome said: “I have never doubted that this case would be dismissed for the simple reason that I have known throughout I did nothing wrong.”

Froome’s use of asthma medication has been well documented, and the Kenyan-born rider has often been spotted using inhalers during races.

World Anti-doping

Agency rules state that an athlete can be cleared for excessive salbutamol use if he proves that it was due to an appropriate therapeutic dosage.

“I have suffered with asthma since childhood,” Froome said.

“I know exactly what the rules are regarding my asthma medication and I only ever use my puffer to manage my symptoms within the permissible limits.”

With one more Tour victory, Froome can match the record of five shared by Jacques Anquetil, Eddy Merckx, Bernard Hinault and Miguel Indurain.

“Today’s ruling draws a line,” Froome said. “It means we can all move on and focus on the Tour de France.”

France’s Le Monde newspaper on Sunday had reported that Tour organizer ASO had informed Team Sky it was forbidding Froome from entering the race until the doping case had been decided.

“The UCI understands that there will be significant discussion of this decision, but wishes to reassure all those involved in or interested in cycling that its decision is based on expert opinions, WADA’S advice, and a full assessment of the facts of the case,” the UCI said, referring to the World Antidoping Agency.

“The UCI hopes that the cycling world can now turn its focus to, and enjoy, the upcoming races.”

Tour director Christian Prudhomme told L’equipe that Froome would now be on the starting line on Saturday in the Vendee region.

“The proceedings we had started to prevent damage to the image (of the race) is void because sporting authorities are stating no foul has been made,” Prudhomme said.

“So be it. He will be on the starting line because the UCI and WADA finally gave an answer.”

ASO, which also runs the Vuelta through a company called Unipublic, did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

In a statement, Unipublic said it was “satisfied because we finally have a ruling and because we finally know who the winner of the 2017 Vuelta is.”