Cycling: Chris Froome (Sky) could soon go public and surprise everyone. According to the latest reports from Italy, the Briton plans to admit to taking banned substances, hoping for a short suspension. If the Sky rider were only banned for six months, he could still compete in the Giro d'Italia and the Tour de France as planned . However, if his denial fails, he faces a ban of up to two years. [Edit: Chris Froome has since denied the article in the Italian newspaper Corriere della Sera .]
Is Chris Froome's acquittal impossible?
Since Christmas, Chris Froome has covered 4.500 kilometers in training in South Africa. The four-time Tour de France winner is preparing for the new season as if nothing had happened. A few weeks ago, several newspapers speculated that he might try to excuse himself from the salbutamol scandal by citing a kidney malfunction. However, according to the Italian newspaper Corriere della Sera, this strategy for Froome's defense now appears to be off the table. They are reportedly aware that no excuse will completely prevent him from serving a suspension.
Doping ban: Froome wants to talk his way out of it with kidney dysfunction
Is Sky going to a deal?
Instead of hypocritically shirking responsibility, the accused could confess. If the Briton admits to knowingly taking a higher dose of salbutamol during the Vuelta a España, he automatically accepts a ban of several months. This could be nine months or even just six. A nine-month ban would allow him to compete in the Tour de France. A six-month ban would even qualify him for the Giro d'Italia. The downside of this approach, however, would be that he would be stripped of his victory at the 2017 Vuelta a España, as well as his bronze medal in the time trial at the World Championships in Bergen.
Bit of everything on the menu today… putting in the hard yards 🚵🏻♂️💨 pic.twitter.com/QhlDEs4q1i
— Chris Froome (@chrisfrome) January 23, 2018
Edit: Froome denies reporting
After being informed about the report in the Italian newspaper Corriere della Sera , Chris Froome released a brief statement on Tuesday afternoon. The Briton denies the report in its entirety.