Chris Froome: physiological testing is not about ending doping debate
"It’s testing for me to understand what makes me the athlete I am," Chris Froome tells the BBC

The latest race content, interviews, features, reviews and expert buying guides, direct to your inbox!
Thank you for signing up to The Pick. You will receive a verification email shortly.
There was a problem. Please refresh the page and try again.
Chris Froome says his plans to undergo physiological testing predate the doping allegations made against him at the Tour de France.
In an interview with the BBC, Froome insisted he'd been planning such tests since the start of the season, rather than in response to his detractors during his successful three weeks in France this July.
The Brit was subjected to verbal and physical abuse by spectators during the Tour as well as being the subject of repeated innuendo in the media.
"I wanted to do this at the start of the season, even before all this came up during the Tour," he said. "It’s physiological testing for me to understand what makes me the athlete I am.
"A lot of people have been asking about a VO2 max test and we have got plans in place to get some testing done, but I’m not going to rush into it – I’ll do it when the time is right – but I’m certainly open to it."
But Froome says undergoing such testing is not an attempt to silence his doubters, but more for him to understand his body more.
With cycling trying to move away from its chequered past, the Team Sky rider believes someone needs to be the face of clean cycling and as a two-time Tour de France winner he is happy to put himself forward.
"My goal is not to win people over," he continued. "I do want to be a spokesman for clean cycling. I believe someone has to stand up and speak for the current generation and I’m happy to do that. I’m happy to release information when I can and show people that they can trust in current performances.
"From my point of view, if you can win the Tour de France clean then you can win any bike race clean."
Check out Chris Froome's Tour de France bike
Thank you for reading 20 articles this month* Join now for unlimited access
Enjoy your first month for just £1 / $1 / €1
*Read 5 free articles per month without a subscription
Join now for unlimited access
Try first month for just £1 / $1 / €1
Get The Leadout Newsletter
The latest race content, interviews, features, reviews and expert buying guides, direct to your inbox!
Stuart Clarke is a News Associates trained journalist who has worked for the likes of the British Olympic Associate, British Rowing and the England and Wales Cricket Board, and of course Cycling Weekly. His work at Cycling Weekly has focused upon professional racing, following the World Tour races and its characters.
-
-
I'd choose the club ride over going solo, any day
Cycling Weekly's Digital Editor refuses to share a point of view with one of our regular contributors
By Michelle Arthurs-Brennan Published
-
Back from bankruptcy, Mavic opens new facility in Vermont, teases new product
In addition to re-establishing sales in North America, the historic brand will release new wheels in the coming months
By Anne-Marije Rook Published
-
Tom Pidcock: Tour of Britain route 'not really ideal for me'
Brit says he wants to win home stage race, even if the course plays in Wout van Aert's favour
By Tom Davidson Published
-
This 39-year-old INEOS Grenadiers rider moonlights as a pro triathlete
A Jack of all trades, Cameron Wurf is a domestique for INEOS Grenadiers professional cycling team, but doubles as a successful pro triathlete.
By Kristin Jenny Published
-
Ineos Grenadiers' only female rider Pauline Ferrand-Prévot eyes road return
Mountain bike legend could be back in the peloton next year
By Tom Davidson Published
-
CW Live: Chris Froome targets return to 'top level'; UCI tightens ITT rules; Strava responds to price hike criticism; Topless protesters arrested at TDU; Tributes paid to Lieuwe Westra; Scott recalls 'cracking' bikes; Toon Aerts the PE teacher
The latest news in the world of cycling
By Tom Davidson Last updated
-
CW LIVE: Wout van Aert and Shirin van Anrooij win cyclo-cross in Koksijde; Rapha unveil EF Education kits; Police search for two suspects in Mark Cavendish robbery; Paris-Nice route announced; Chris Froome and Geraint Thomas to ride Tour Down Under
All the latest in the world of cycling
By Tom Davidson Last updated
-
Egan Bernal has nose operation to help 'air passage' ahead of 2023
Procedure not thought to be connected to the life-threatening crash which affected Colombian last year
By Adam Becket Published
-
Tweets of the week: Ineos Grenadiers' three wise men, team jersey déjà vu and World Cup celebrations by bike
Here's our social media round-up, featuring a cycling all-star nativity
By Tom Davidson Published
-
Tweets of the week: Chris Froome has GoPro problems, and Geraint Thomas grits roads
It might be cold outside, but these hot posts should keep you warm
By Adam Becket Published