Chris Froome insists he is innocent and has every right to defend Tour de France title

Chris Froome insists that he has done nothing wrong and has every right to defend his Tour de France title next month. Cycling has been clouded by doping in recent years and when Froome tested positive for Salbutamol last year, the sceptics said it was not a shock, given how doping has become so commonplace in the sport.

Froome still being investigated for doping

Froome was found to have excessive levels of the asthma drug Salbutamol at the Vuelta a Espana race in September 2017. He is still awaiting a decision regarding the positive test, as the investigation is still ongoing.

Bernard Hinault claims Froome should not be allowed to race

Whilst Froome fans will be keen to see him in action, there are a number of people opposing his participation. Five-times Tour de France winner Bernard Hinault is one of those leading the argument that he should not be allowed to compete this year until the doping investigation shows he did not cheat. Froome remains adamant that he has done nothing wrong and therefore should not be prevented form racing in the Tour de France this year.

“We have always come up against adversity”

The Team Sky cyclist was asked whether he was concerned about the reception he will get in France to which he replied “We have always come up against adversity over the years. It is something you deal with in the moment. Hopefully that doesn’t interfere with the race.”

Those in support of Froome have referred to a report published by the British Journal of Clinical Pharmacology that states that it is not feasible to determine a dosage level of salbutamol when the results are based on a single untimed urine sample. Reports and evidence related to this theory will be key in the outcome of the investigation.

Froome is sounding incredibly confident that he will be found not guilty and will then be exonerated. For the sake of the sport’s reputation and in light of Froome’s phenomenal cycling achievements, let’s hope that the outcome is how he predicts.