London: Four-time Tour de France winner Chris Froome has denied any breaking of rules after a urine test he gave during the Vuelta a Espana race in September that showed excessive levels of asthma medication.
The 32-year-old Froome, who became the first British rider to win the Vuelta and the first man to claim a Tour de France/Vuelta double in the same season, had doubled the allowed level of the legal asthma drug Salbutamol in his urine, UCI, cycling’s governing body, said in a statement Wednesday.
“I understand this comes as a big shock to people,” Froome was quoted as saying to BBC in an interview. “I certainly haven’t broken any rules here. I haven’t taken more than the permissible amount and I am sure at the end of the day the truth will be told.”
However, the Team Sky rider risks missing next year’s Tour de France and could also lose his Vuelta crown if he fails to provide a satisfactory explanation.
However, the UCI have asked Froome to provide more information regarding the use of Salbutamol which is very common in treating Asthma.
When asked whether he felt his legacy had been permanently tainted, Froome was quick to reply ‘No’. “I have been a professional cyclist now racing with asthma for 10 years. I know what those rules are and I also know what limits are to be maintained, Froome added.
He also added that he has got a very clear routine of when to use his inhaler and how many times and has also provided all the information to the UCI to help get to the bottom of it.
reuters
