Tour favourite Froome has full trust in Sky

Chris Froome admitted he understands where sceptics are coming from as he reiterated his full trust in Team Sky ahead of the Tour de France.

The three-time winner and his team faced the media in Dusseldorf yesterday ahead of Saturday’s opening stage, and there were plenty of questions relating to the ongoing UK Anti-Doping probe into alleged wrongdoing by Team Sky.

Such questions have dogged the team since September, when the Fancy Bears hackers revealed that 2012 Tour winner Sir Bradley Wiggins had received Therapeutic Use Exemptions ahead of each of his major races in 2011, 2012 and 2013.

The team have also faced questions over the contents of a medical delivery to the Criterium du Dauphine in 2011 – a race won by Wiggins.

Those topics were revisited in Dusseldorf, but Froome refused to be rattled.

“Certainly I’ve learned to grow a thicker skin over the years and I understand where it’s coming from given cycling’s history,” he said.

“It’s not something I take personally any more; I don’t take those questions and feel it’s an attack on me personally but more just a reflection of what has happened in the sport.

“I do sympathise with people who have had their doubts because I’ve had my doubts as well about performances post the early 2000s. I can see where those questions are coming from.

“I think for me personally I’m just going to have to show over time that my results are going to stand. I can rest assured that they are but it might take other people a bit longer.”

Picture: PA. Chris Froome and Team Sky members spoke to the media yesterday.