Chris Froome (Team Sky) has taken to Twitter to explain his stance on therapeutic use exemptions (TUEs), saying that the system is "open to abuse" and that this is something the authorities "need to urgently address."
Froome, who had two TUEs for asthma medication - a fact already known before the recent leaks - released the statement to make his position on the whole episode clear.
Aware of his own standing in the peloton, Froome says: "I know that I have to not only abide by the rules, but also go above and beyond to set a good example both morally and ethically."
He added, "it is clear that the TUE system is open to abuse and I believe that this is something that the UCI and WADA needs (sic) to urgently address."
The three-time Tour de France winner also refused a TUE on his way to victory in the biggest race of the year in 2015 so as to avoid any criticism.
“It would have been within the rules, but I didn’t want it to be the Tour de France that was won because [I] took this medication in the last week,” Froome told the Sunday Times of that episode.
How the authorities might address the gaps in the TUE system is less clear. Sir Dave Brailsford, himself embroiled in the storm around Sir Bradley Wiggins's use of intramuscular asthma medication, has hinted at Team Sky releasing all TUEs.
This would go against patient confidentiality guidelines but would make the use of TUEs more transparent.
There is no suggestion of any wrongdoing by Froome, Wiggins or Team Sky.
