Cycling: The case of Chris Froome is stirring up emotions. In September, the Team Sky rider tested positive at the Vuelta a España. The permitted limit of 1.000 The Briton doubled the limit of nanograms of salbutamol per milliliter. Nothing has happened since then. Now, Romain Bardet (AG2R La Mondiale) has vented his anger in an interview with L'Equipe. The Frenchman attacks Chris Froome himself, his Team Sky, and, above all, the UCI – and in doing so, expresses what many cycling fans are also thinking.
Bardet: "We are the butt of ridicule"
After the 18th stage of the Vuelta a Espana, Chris Froome tested positive. That was on September 7, 2017. Officially, one does not really speak of a positive doping test, since the drug salbutamol is not completely banned, but the limit was exceeded twice. The "conspicuous values" in this test were initially kept secret by the UCI, WADA, Team Sky and Chris Froome himself. It wasn't until December that the public found out about it, more or less by accident. Romain Bardet does not like the handling of this test result at all. In a sweeping attack, the Frenchman in L'Equipe attacks everyone involved directly.
Romain Bardet: “The season starts without a decision having been made yet. That is ridiculous. We are the butt of ridicule. Froome's test dates back to September and we just found out about it in December. I wonder if we wouldn't have heard about the test for years if it hadn't leaked to the press.”
Bardet: "UCI is soft on Froome because otherwise in case he will be cleared the team will sue them with a high damage request"
- La Flamme Rouge (@ laflammerouge16) 16 January 2018
"I would like to believe in Chris Froome's goodwill"
Romain Bardet sees the handling of the topic in relation to the upcoming races as particularly negative. Although it has been months since the test and a ban is more than likely, Chris Froome is still allowed to race. A scenario similar to that of Alberto Contador would be conceivable. In 2011, the Spaniard won the Giro d'Italia despite already knowing he tested positive at the 2010 Tour de France. Since the decision on his ban was not made until February 6, 2012, all the results he had achieved were subsequently declared void. If Chris Froome starts at the Giro this year, the Tour of Italy could face exactly the same problem again. Romain Bardet therefore appeals to the team and to Chris Froome to be reasonable.
Romain Bardet: "I don't know how Froome can continue as if nothing happened. Even if Sky doesn't take action, there's nothing stopping the driver from voluntarily choosing to take a break while waiting for the response. I'd like to believe in Chris Froome's good will, but if you're over the limit then there are rules that require penalties."
French rival Romain Bardet thinks Chris Froome should rule himself out of racing until an investigation into his "adverse" drugs test is complete.
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- BBC Sport (@BBCSport) 16 January 2018