Cynics asking if Froome has a bit of vroom
CHRIS Froome has more to contend with than doping allegations as the Briton seeks a second Tour de France title – he’s also facing accusations of using a motor hidden in his bike.
Technological doping, as it has been called, has not been proven – far from it – but it is widely suspected to exist. The speed of Froome when he accelerates has left some convinced of outside propulsion.
“It seems like the bike is pedalling itself,” former cyclist Cedric Vasseur, now working for French television, said.
Froome is not the first person to face accusations of using a motorised bicycle, with Fabian Cancellara’s 2010 victory in the Tour of Flanders also raising more than a few eyebrows.
Authorities have started testing for motors in bicycles, but the tests are rare and target only a few cycles.
Froome’s bike from his stage 10 victory was not tested.
International Cycling Union (UCI) president Brian Cookson says his organisation is taking the issue seriously.
“We’ve done some testing already for concealed motors,” he said. “We understand that although this subject sometimes causes amusement and derision, we know that the technology is available – we have seen examples of it in laboratory conditions.”
It seems only the Alps loom as the last major obstacle between Froome and a second Tour victory in Paris.
His rivals tried and failed to make the British rider and his super-strong Sky team wilt on the toughest – and last – day of climbing in the Pyrenees early yesterday on Stage 12.
The stage was won by Joaq- uim Rodriguez of Spain, who gritted his teeth in driving rain for his second stage win.
The opportunities for podium contenders to eat into Froome’s comfortable race lead are starting to run out.
“There are only a certain amount of opportunities before we get to Paris,” Froome said. “We’ve just got to expect everything to be thrown at us.”
But to get to the 2013 champion, Froome’s rivals must first get past his teammates. And that is a problem.
The big budget of his Sky team has bought the best help, riders so strong they could lead other teams if they weren’t working for Froome.
They ride hard at the front, controlling the race.
Alberto Contador, Nairo Quintana and Vincenzo Nibali tried testing him on the final ascent, taking turns with bursts of acceleration.
But Richie Porte and Geraint Thomas, Froome’s guardians on the uphill roads, and the race leader himself reeled in the challenges. Thomas is riding so impressively that a podium double might even be possible for Sky in Paris.