DOPING VOW

The head of British Cycling has claimed scepticism over doping at the Tour de France is undermining the race and has promised measures to restore its credibility if he is elected as president of the sport’s international body UCI.

Tour winner Chris Froome had to deal with questions and innuendo during the race leading to his Team Sky to make his power data statistics — which can indicate doping — publicly available to try to end the accusations.

Brian Cookson, British Cycling’s chairman who is challenging the UCI’s incumbent president Pat McQuaid, said he would bring in several measures to tackle doping and deal with the past.

Cookson said in a statement: “This year’s Tour de France has seen many heroic performances yet there has been a mood of scepticism and doubt in some quarters.

“This is deeply frustrating for the riders but, if you look at the past and what our sport has been through, it is not a surprise.

“We must act to change this situation so that the public can feel confident and cycling’s great performances can be heralded not disparaged.

“After a magnificent end to the 100th Tour de France, the UCI owes it to all the clean riders to show leadership on antidoping.”

Cookson promised an independent investigation into cycling’s doping past and an independent body to test for drugs.

Meanwhile, Olympic gold medallist Dani King backed calls for a women’s Tour de France and can even imagine competing in the epic race.

King believes a women’s Tour de France should be a shorter distance than the men’s race, but held on the same days and on the same course.