Share

Froome failed dope test during Vuelta - UCI

Paris - Four-time Tour de France winner Chris Froome failed a drugs test for asthma medication during the Vuelta race in September, cycling's governing body UCI said on Wednesday.

The British Team Sky rider had twice the permitted level of legal asthma drug Salbutamol in his body.

The UCI has asked Froome to provide more information but has not suspended him.

Team Sky said the 32-year-old rider had suffered from asthma since childhood and had been affected by symptoms during the Vuelta a Espana, the Tour of Spain, which he went on to win. 

But the team said he had taken no more than the allowable amount of Salbutamol.

"During the final week of the Vuelta, Chris experienced acute asthma symptoms. On the advice of the Team Sky doctor, he used an increased dosage of Salbutamol (still within the permissible doses) in the run-up to the September 7 urine test," Team Sky said.

The team said Froome had declared his use of the medication, adding: "The notification of the test finding does not mean that any rule has been broken."

Froome said the UCI was "absolutely right" to scrutinise the test results.

He said that during the race he had "followed the team doctor's advice to increase my Salbutamol dosage".

"As always, I took the greatest care to ensure that I did not use more than the permissible dose," he said.

"Together with the team, I will provide whatever information it requires," he added.

Froome was notified of the test on September 20, the day he finished third in the world time-trial championship in Bergen, Norway.

He has not competed since then, but has announced his intention to try to win the three big tours, in France, Spain and Italy, in 2018.

The test will raise new questions about British cycling following the scandal surrounding the only previous British Tour de France winner, Bradley Wiggins, over his use of so-called therapeutic use exemptions (TUEs).

It emerged that Wiggins received TUEs in order to take a corticosteroid before his three biggest races in 2011, 2012 and 2013, including his 2012 Tour de France win.

Wiggins and Sky have repeatedly denied any wrongdoing, saying the drug was prescribed to treat a longstanding pollen allergy.

We live in a world where facts and fiction get blurred
Who we choose to trust can have a profound impact on our lives. Join thousands of devoted South Africans who look to News24 to bring them news they can trust every day. As we celebrate 25 years, become a News24 subscriber as we strive to keep you informed, inspired and empowered.
Join News24 today
heading
description
username
Show Comments ()
Voting Booth
Should Siya Kolisi keep the captaincy as the Springboks build towards their World Cup title defence in 2027?
Please select an option Oops! Something went wrong, please try again later.
Results
Yes! Siya will only be 36 at the next World Cup. He can make it!
26% - 1273 votes
No! I think the smart thing to do is start again with a younger skipper ...
29% - 1470 votes
I'd keep Siya captain for now, but look to have someone else for 2027.
45% - 2249 votes
Vote
Editorial feedback and complaints

Contact the public editor with feedback for our journalists, complaints, queries or suggestions about articles on News24.

LEARN MORE