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.
-
'It's going to damage cycling in the UK' - Ned Boulting, David Millar and Pete Kennaugh react to ITV losing Tour de France rights
Channel's commentary team warn of 'devastating effect' of not having free-to-air race coverage
By Tom Davidson Published
-
The best workouts and training plans on Zwift – the coach’s choice
Our resident cycling coach selects the best Zwift workouts and training plans to help you achieve your cycling goals
By Andy Turner Published
-
Ineos Grenadiers announce 'highly motivated, hungry and ambitious' new performance structure for 2025
New sports directors, lead performance coach and head of performance support announced, among other changes
By Adam Becket Published
-
'I can help get the team back to where it was' - 20-year-old Artem Shmidt looks to the future after Ineos Grenadiers' disappointing season
Shmidt hoping to help revitalise team backed by Jim Ratcliffe after season of woes and as star rider Tom Pidcock gets set to move on
By Tom Thewlis Published
-
'I don’t think the people around Tom help' - Geraint Thomas on the Tom Pidcock and Ineos Grenadiers situation
Pidcock was "deselected" from Il Lombardia on Saturday, with the rider taking to Instagram to discuss decision
By Tom Thewlis Published
-
Tom Pidcock 'deselected' from Ineos Grenadiers squad for Il Lombardia
British rider says 'I guess off season starts early' in Instagram post
By Tom Davidson Published
-
Ineos Grenadiers have had their worst season ever, and the woes appear not to be over. What’s next for the super-team of a bygone era?
With Tom Pidcock possibly off to Q36.5 and Luke Rowe leaving, the news is not quiet around the British WorldTour squad
By Adam Becket Published
-
Remco Evenepoel puts transfer speculation to bed ahead of World Championships road race
'I'll stay where I am' says Double Olympic champion as he confirms he will remain at Soudal Quick-Step next season
By Tom Thewlis Published
-
'You can't sugarcoat it' - Luke Rowe says Ineos Grenadiers are 'underperforming'
British squad's experienced road captain believes his team has been "overtaken" by others
By Tom Davidson Published
-
Steve Cummings replaced by Tom Pidcock's coach in Tour of Britain management team shake-up at Ineos Grenadiers
Cummings was on the provisional start list submitted to the race organiser, but was replaced by Kurt Bogaerts
By Tom Thewlis Published