Chris Froome: 'My legacy won't be tainted'
The Sky man says he expects his salbutamol case to resolved in his favour by the UCI
Team Sky's Chris Froome says that his legacy as cycling champion will not be tainted by a high reading of asthma drug salbutamol this summer at the Vuelta a España.
The team and the cycling governing body revealed on Wednesday that he tested at 2000 nanograms per millilitre (ng/ml), 1000 over the legal limit for the inhaler spray after the 18th stage of the Vuelta, September 7.
>>> Tony Martin ‘totally angry’ at ‘double standards’ in Chris Froome salbutamol case
Froome went on to win the Spanish title to add to his four Tour de France titles.
"No," Froome said when asked by BBC Sport if this would permanently taint his legacy.
"I can understand a lot of people's reactions, especially given the history of the sport. This is not a positive test.
"The sport is coming from a very dark background and I have tried to do everything through my career to show that the sport has turned around."
Get The Leadout Newsletter
The latest race content, interviews, features, reviews and expert buying guides, direct to your inbox!
Sky and British Cycling just came through a period of defending themselves against various claims of wrongdoing around TUEs with Bradley Wiggins.
Froome had come out unscathed until this winter, when the communications revealed that he and the team had the counter-analysis and was working on clarifying the issue with the UCI governing body.
"I know what those rules are, I know what those limits are and I have never been over those limits," added Froome.
"I have got a very clear routine when I use my inhaler and how many times. I have given all that information to the UCI to help get to the bottom of it."
The team and Froome said they were informed of the test on September 20.
With the clear anti-doping rule infringement, Froome could face a year's suspension and loss of his Vuelta title. Alessandro Petacchi, who was banned for overuse of Salbutamol in 2007, told Cycling Weekly that these days bans are more severe and that he expected Froome to battle any decision to the CAS, high court for sports.
Froome admitted that he was suffering in the Vuelta but did not explain how the value could have climbed so high. The team said that he was experiencing "acute asthma symptoms." The team doctor gave an increased dosage of salbutamol, but it said that it was within the permissible limit.
"I am racing against guys who are looking for any kind of weakness," Froome said.
"I am not going to admit through a Grand Tour that 'yes. I am suffering with something', because the next day my rivals will come out absolutely swinging."
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
Gregor Brown is an experienced cycling journalist, based in Florence, Italy. He has covered races all over the world for over a decade - following the Giro, Tour de France, and every major race since 2006. His love of cycling began with freestyle and BMX, before the 1998 Tour de France led him to a deep appreciation of the road racing season.
-
Is your bike the noisest in the bunch? 13 steps to a silent ride
A quiet bike is a joy to ride, so here's how to banish unwanted noises - what to check for, how to fix it and why you shouldn't ignore what your bike is telling you
By Tim Russon Published
-
Cycplus Tiny E-Pump AS2 Review - an electric alternative to CO2
Small enough to fit in your pockets, it inflates to 100psi with a 200-second usage per charge
By Paul Grele Published
-
The art of peaking with Geraint Thomas: 'It’s easy to take for granted that 9 times out of 10 I hit my goals'
The Welshman also calls for better governance in the sport to help it grow further
By Chris Marshall-Bell Published
-
Ineos Grenadiers’ 500th victory was claimed by a woman; why do they still not have a team?
The British squad is one of the richest in cycling - but Ineos still won’t stump up for a women’s team
By Adam Becket Published
-
'This is so much more than a number': Six of the best Ineos Grenadiers wins as team claims 500th race victory
Pauline Ferrand-Prévot took the 500th team win at the weekend
By Tom Thewlis Published
-
Tom Pidcock 'wouldn’t be surprised' to see attacks before the Poggio at Milan-San Remo
British rider will lead the line for Ineos Grenadiers alongside Filippo Ganna
By Tom Thewlis Published
-
Ineos Grenadiers delighted with Egan Bernal’s late cameo on stage one of Paris-Nice
Colombian snapped up key bonus seconds in the general classification battle on run in to Les Mureaux
By Tom Thewlis Published
-
‘It doesn’t change anything’ - Tom Pidcock’s coach on Tadej Pogačar at Strade Bianche
Kurt Bogaerts says the pressure is off for Pidcock as he looks to defend the title he emphatically won last year
By Tom Thewlis Published
-
Ineos Grenadiers say they will work with British Cycling to get Tour of Britain back on ‘as quickly as possible’
Ben Swift and Owain Doull both say it would be a "shame" were the Tour of Britain to be no more
By Adam Becket Published
-
‘We're now the hunter, not the hunted’ - New Ineos Grenadiers CEO commits to reclaiming top spot amongst WorldTour elite
John Allert outlines team’s targets and ambitions for 2024, including regaining Grand Tour dominance of old
By Tom Thewlis Published