After a much publicized interview with Agence French Presse (AFP) in which Bernard Hinault called for riders to strike “in protest” at the presence of Chris Froome in this year’s Tour de France, Froome’s Team Sky has now responded to the five time Tour winner’s statement:
‘It is disappointing that Bernard Hinault has, once again, repeated factually incorrect comments about a case he clearly does not understand.
‘His comments are irresponsible and ill-informed. Chris has not had a positive test, rather an adverse analytical finding for a prescribed asthma medication. As an ex-rider himself, Bernard will appreciate the need for fairness for each and every athlete. And at the current time, Chris is entitled to race.
‘This process would normally be confidential to protect the athlete and establish the facts. Unfortunately, it was leaked. However, both Chris and the team are following the process that has been put in place by the UCI.
‘It is clearly a difficult situation which no one wants resolved more quickly than Chris and the team.
‘Chris and Team Sky are fully-focused on the upcoming Tour de France and won’t let these uneducated comments affect our preparation for the greatest race in the world.’
Our opinion is that Froome’s presence at the race sends the wrong message to dopers. He should not have been at the Giro and he certainly should not be racing at the sport’s most visible event. Tour de France management has exercised their power to exclude riders from the race in the past and they need to send a clear message about doping.
Unfortunately, it seems that Tour management is choosing publicity and eyeballs over what is right. Despite calling the UCI’s delay on a decision in the Froome case “grotesque”, it seems that race director Christian Prudhomme is not going to exclude the rider unless public sentiment and opinion from the peloton tilts strongly against Froome.
Still, a “sit down” from the riders at the start of the race would not play well on TV.
Ron is the chief cook and bottlewasher at Bike World News, doing everything from website design to bike reviews.
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