Thomas backing Froome ‘100 per cent’ over scandal

Olympic gold hero ‘frustrated’ at being tarnished by doping stories

GERAINT Thomas has spoken of his frustration at being ‘tarnished’ by cycling’s spate of doping scandals but has given his full backing to under-fire teammate Chris Froome.

Four-time Tour de France winner Froome has come under scrutiny after details of an adverse analytical finding for salbutamol in a urine test following stage 18 of September’s Vuelta a Espana were made public last week.

Team Sky insist the substance, used in an asthma inhaler, had been fully declared and Froome was using it under a Therapuetic Use Exempetion (TUE) certificate ratified by the sport’s governing body.

In an exclusive interview with Cyclingnews.com, double Olympic champion Thomas revealed:

HE backs Froome 100 per cent and does not believe he has cheated

HIS frustration at clean riders like himself being ‘tarnished’ by doping scandals

HIS belief that TUE’s should be abolished to erase any grey areas

WHY life bans need to be introduced for the dopers who are found guilty

WHY he will be riding for himself at the 2018 Tour de France having been given a free role by Team Sky

“I back him (Froome) 100 per cent,” said Thomas. “I don’t think he’s a cheat. “I’m sad for him and his reputation but also for the team as well. We talked briefly. It’s the first time I’ve seen him and he’s quiet. You can see that it’s affected him but it’s going to, something like that.

“It’s obviously frustrating for the riders who don’t have anything to do with any of it.

“I have a strong stance on antidoping. So I’d get rid of TUEs and I’d ban people for life for blood doping, and EPO. Why give them a second chance? This life is a luxury, and I feel I’m in a privileged position, so if someone goes out of their way to break the rules then they’re just not needed.

“Whatever happens, happens. I can’t affect any of that but I’ll have a free role at the Tour to see what I can do.”