Tom Dumoulin: 'If they suspend Froome after he starts the Giro, that would be the worst solution'
The defending Giro champion hopes the lingering salbutamol case can be resolved before taking to the start line with Chris Froome in May
- (opens in new tab)
- (opens in new tab)
- (opens in new tab)
- Sign up to our newsletter Newsletter

Giro d'Italia defending champion Tom Dumoulin (Sunweb) says that it would be the "worst possible solution" if Chris Froome starts in the 2018 edition this May and then receives a suspension after racing to win.
The Dutchman won the 2017 edition ahead of Nairo Quintana (Movistar) and Vincenzo Nibali (Bahrain-Merida), and is lining up in the Abu Dhabi Tour start on Wednesday to begin his 2018 campaign and building towards a Giro defence.
Team Sky's Froome announced he would race the Giro d'Italia ahead of the Tour de France this 2018 season. Those plans remain the same even if he is battling an adverse analytical finding for asthma drug salbutamol from the 2017 Vuelta a España.
Froome and Team Sky have denied any wrongdoing.
'Get a bit of perspective': Dave Brailsford responds to critics over Chris Froome salbutamol case
Chris Froome: 'When the facts are out people will see things from my point of view'
"It would be very bad if he starts the Giro without still knowing something and they have to say after the Giro then that he's suspended," Dumoulin said. "That would be the worst solution ever."
Froome's case is said to be heading to the UCI's anti-doping tribunal in the coming weeks and if it rules against him, he could be suspended. However, as with the Alberto Contador and Diego Ulissi cases in the past, it may rumble on through the year – and Froome is free to race while it does.
"I don't think a lot of riders have a different opinion, I think they agree that it's not good for cycling that this case is lingering on and there's not a solution," Dumoulin continued.
"I hope justice prevails, and whatever that may be.
"Everyone wants clarity. I think Froome wants the same. Everyone wants that. The public is asking for that."
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WWVoFpEyh_I
Some including UCI President David Lappartient and Romain Bardet (Ag2r La Mondiale), third in the 2017 Tour behind Froome, say he should not race in this period.
Froome last week began his season in Spain's Ruta del Sol stage race, where he placed 10th overall and said, "We're working as hard as we can to try and get [the case] resolved. No one wants this resolved more quickly than I do."
"I cannot say if he should sit out," added Dumoulin. "Well, right now, he's allowed to race. He may do that, but he may also not, but that's his decision."
The Giro d'Italia is pushing for a solution from the UCI before the race starts in Jerusalem on May 4. It does not want a situation like in 2011, when Contador won the overall but later was stripped of the title for an anti-doping case from the 2010 Tour.
"We cannot accept a repeat of the Contador case or a trial after the fact," Giro director Mauro Vegni said this month. "We want a certificate from the UCI that allows the rider to start the Giro."
Thank you for reading 10 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.
-
-
20 year-old sprints to clean sweep at British Track Champs
Emma Finucane wins two titles on the closing day of the championships
By Vern Pitt • Published
-
Marius Mayrhofer pulls off surprise win at Cadel Evans Great Ocean Road Race
DSM rider breaks down with emotion after he crosses the finish line
By Stephen Puddicombe • Published
-
Chris Froome highlights dangers of long Covid after battle with virus
Four-time Tour de France champion warns of cardiovascular impact and says his VO2 max took a hit after illness
By Tom Thewlis • Published
-
Chris Froome labels WorldTour relegation a ‘death sentence for many teams’
Four-time Tour de France winner says UCI points system needs overhaul as Israel-PremierTech face relegation from the WorldTour
By Tom Thewlis • Last updated
-
Chris Froome still holds out hope for fifth Tour de France win
Israel-Premier Tech rider says the dream is "always there"
By Tom Davidson • Published
-
Changing of the guard: Seven top cyclists who have retired in 2022
Vincenzo Nibali, Alejandro Valverde and Tom Dumoulin have all called time on their careers this year
By Tom Thewlis • Published
-
Celebrating the career of Tom Dumoulin: our three favourite moments
The former Giro d’Italia winner announced his immediate retirement earlier this week
By Tom Thewlis • Published
-
Tom Dumoulin ends career with immediate effect
Dutch former Giro d’Italia winner brings forward retirement from professional cycling
By Tom Thewlis • Published
-
Chris Froome out of Tour de France after positive Covid-19 test result
Four-time winner and third on Alpe d’Huez stage forced to abandon on stage 18
By Tom Thewlis • Published
-
'I’m going to keep pushing. I don’t know what my limits are': Chris Froome climbs to best result since 2018
Israel-Premier Tech rider finished third on stage 12 of the Tour de France to Alpe d'Huez
By Adam Becket • Published