Chris Froome misses dope test, but pushes for tighter controls
Team Sky's Tour de France leader Chris Froome says he takes full responsibility for missing an anti-doping test earlier this year - Froome says that he was tested four times while training on Tenerife
- (opens in new tab)
- (opens in new tab)
- (opens in new tab)
- Sign up to our newsletter Newsletter


Sky's Chris Froome missed an anti-doping control earlier this year and said on Wednesday, with just over a week until the Tour de France starts, that he takes full responsibility.
Froome was on holiday with his wife in Italy when inspectors visited the hotel at seven o'clock. As per policy, Froome said the hotel's staff refused to telephone and disturb its clients.
The missed test would only be a problem if Froome had three in a 12-month period. Such a case would result in an anti-doping ban, which was the case for Danish cyclist Alex Rasmussen.
"I missed a drugs test earlier this year," Froome responded when asked. "I had a couple of recovery days, I took my wife to a hotel down in Italy. When we came down for breakfast, [the staff] said to us 'Oh, anti-doping guys were here to test you this morning, but it's our policy not to let anyone disturb our clients.'
>>> Froome: Things are looking good for the Tour de France
"That was hugely frustrating. I did appeal it to the authorities, but at the end of day, I do take responsibility for that case. I could've been more proactive in letting the hotel know that it was a possibility I could best tested. I learned my lesson there."
Froome did not specify the date when asked or explain if he missed other controls. Such information is private and would only be made public if an athlete was banned.
British runner Mo Farah, it was recently revealed, missed two anti-doping controls in the lead-up to winning two gold medals at the 2012 London Olympics.
Mark Cavendish said in 2012 that he missed a test in April 2011 while on Mount Etna in Italy.
Froome, besides taking responsibility, said that he sees himself as a spokesperson for cycling. He explained that is why he complained about the lack of anti-doping tests on the tiny Spanish island of Tenerife last year ahead of the Tour de France.
"We'd come back and be asked if we were tested, every year the answer was 'no.' Something wasn't right," Froome said.
"Many people use Tenerife as a key preparation ahead of the Tour de France and there was no testing. It was important to point it out to the authorities that this seemed to be a bit of an oversight that none of us were being tested.
“As far I've seen it's been rectified. This year, I was tested at least four times during the period we were up there."
>>> UCI bans Tour de France motorhomes, much to Chris Froome’s displeasure
After winning the Critérium du Dauphiné, Froome has previewed some of the Tour's key mountain stages. He has also been eyeing his rivals, including 2014 winner Vincenzo Nibali (Astana), Alberto Contador (Tinkoff-Saxo) and Nairo Quintana (Movistar).
"Alberto has come in just winning the Giro, he set himself the big challenge winning the double. Vincenzo is coming in as defending champion. He's taking a very similar approach to how he did it last year, where he's not showing his cards at this stage.
“Then you have Nairo who's come back from a big block in Colombia, he's never won the Tour de France, a Colombian has never won the Tour de France, that's a huge motivation for him.
“I respect all my rivals, but I don't fear anyone at this point."
Thank you for reading 5 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.
-
-
Just gotten rolling? Six things I wish I'd known as a beginner cyclist
Everyone's a beginner at some stage. Here are six things to bear in mind if you're looking at getting out on your bike
By Tom Thewlis • Published
-
What are the essentials you need to take on every bike ride? We run you through seven of the most important
Pump, inner tube and tyre levers are all equally important - forget any one of them and you won't be able to fix that puncture!
By Simon Richardson • Published
-
Egan Bernal to return to racing at Tour of Denmark, eight months after horror crash
Ineos Grenadiers confirm that Tour de France and Giro d'Italia winner will race on Tuesday
By Adam Becket • Published
-
Ineos Grenadiers name young team for Vuelta a España with four Grand Tour debutants
Richard Carapaz expected to lead squad in last Grand Tour for team when they lineup on Friday
By Adam Becket • Published
-
'He's going to win some big bike races' - Tom Pidcock hails Sam Watson as he turns pro with Groupama-FDJ
U23 British National champion has impressed his French team and more besides
By Tom Thewlis • Published
-
Adam Yates and Ineos Grenadiers discuss contract extension with Briton not assured of same Grand Tour opportunities
The Briton joined Ineos Grenadiers two years ago and is thought to be attracting interest from elsewhere
By Chris Marshall-Bell • Published
-
Leo Hayter joins Ineos Grenadiers as stagiaire before turning pro with team in 2023
Baby Giro winner will move to highest level next season alongside his brother with British team
By Tom Thewlis • Published
-