Froome blasts ‘misinformation’ in doping case

MIJAS, Spain: Chris Froome insisted that “misinformation” has led to rival riders calling for him to be suspended after an abnormal doping test, as he started his season at the Ruta del Sol on Wednesday.

“There is a lot misinformation out there. There are also a lot of opinions of people who don’t quite fully understand the process,” Froome said in response to those who have called for him to be suspended pending a resolution to the case.

“But I do believe that when all the facts are out there people will see it from my point of view.”Froome was speaking ahead of the start of the five-day race in Andalusia, his first appearance in the peloton since the revelations in December of the test result.

Despite the controversy, he was afforded a warm welcome by fans in Mijas, while the local mayor even posed for photographs with him.Cycling’s international governing body the UCI is yet to make a ruling on the test, which was given at last year’s Vuelta a Espana, a race which Froome won. However, UCI chief David Lappartient said last month that Froome should be suspended over the adverse test and some of the rider’s main rivals have hit out at cycling authorities for failing to ban him.

The four-time Tour de France winner has the right to ride because salbutamol, the substance that showed up in the test, is an anti-asthma drug which can be taken legally. The UCI have asked Froome to explain why twice the allowed limit showed up in his sample.