Superman has become a divisive hero

CHRIS FROOME is about to seal an astonishing victory and become the first Briton to win the Giro d’Italia in its 101-year history — and the only rational reaction is to look on, not in awe, but in perplexed silence.

My overriding feeling when I heard about Froome’s jaw-dropping performance on Stage 19, which earned him the leader’s pink jersey, was that I was glad I did not have to report on it.

Froome is competing in a sport still riddled with drugs issues, riding for a team who have been discredited and taking part despite failing a drugs test last September. So what are we supposed to think when he rides a stage like Superman?

Part of the problem is that the process for arbitrating on Froome’s positive test is taking an age. There is still no resolution in sight, which means that not only is he riding in the Giro against a backdrop of reservations from the organisers but the same is likely to happen in the Tour de France.

The uncertainty is the last thing that cycling needs. Yesterday, Froome was spat at by a spectator on the penultimate stage.

His is an incredible achievement. Once, it seemed he might be a unifying force for the sport. Now, he is an intensely divisive hero.