Froome cleared of doping violations
Chris Froome’s 9-month doping allegation nightmare has finally come to an end after the Union Cycliste International, cleared the British cyclist of any wrong doing, allowing him to take aim at a fifth Tour de France win when the iconic race begins on Saturday.
In a sport that is constantly scrutinized for performance enhancing drugs, a test showed that Froome had double the permitted level of the asthma drug salbutamol in his system during stage 18 of the Vuelta, a damaging find that not only cast doubt on his Vuelta win, but all his victories prior to that, including this year’s Giro d’Italia.
Froome has always claimed his innocence, his legal team even challenging the science behind the anti-doping rule on salbutamol, while under investigation by the World Anti-Doping Agency.
Last week WADA told the UCI that it had accepted Froome’s sample results did not constitute an AAF, effectively closing the proceedings against the Team Sky leader.
In a statement released on Twitter Froome stated, ‘Grateful and relieved to finally put this chapter behind me, it has been an emotional 9 months. Thank you to all of those who have supported and believed in me throughout.’
Grateful and relieved to finally put this chapter behind me, it has been an emotional 9 months. Thank you to all of those who have supported and believed in me throughout. pic.twitter.com/OGzsg83Gjj
— Chris Froome (@chrisfroome) July 2, 2018
He also stated through Team Sky
— Team Sky (@TeamSky) July 2, 2018
Team Sky’s Sir Dave Brailsford also came out in support of Froome through a statement made on their Twitter channel.
— Team Sky (@TeamSky) July 2, 2018
The Tour de France starts on Saturday with Froome favourite to win a fifth overall classification.
