Chris Froome. Remember him? Multiple Tour de France winner, Olympic medallist, now face of Team Sky and also Vuelta Champion. Oh, and suspected cheat.
Much of the sporting world already knows about what happened, but here’s a refresher.
The Test
During the Vuelta, on the 18th stage, Froome gave a mandatory urine sample, a duty to which all race leaders are obliged to fulfil. After the race, on September the 20th2017, Froome was given notice of an adverse analytical finding (AAF) because the urine sample taken from him on stage 18 of the Vuelta a España exceeded the allowed limit of the asthma drug salbutamol. His salbutamol reading was 2,000 nanograms per millilitre, double the allowed level. This news was first broken by Martha Kelner and Sean Ingle of The Guardian on the 13th December.
The Response
Froome fiercely contends that he did not exceed the WADA-allowed dosage of the medication, saying that his asthma worsened during the race, and, following medical advice, he followed his team doctor's recommendation to increase his dose. According to WADA (World Anti-Doping Authority), factors like other medications taken, diet, and the temperature can all affect the level found.
I want to thank everyone for their support & patience over this difficult period. I am doing my utmost to ensure that things are resolved as speedily as possible.
Can't wait to get this season started!! 🚴🏻‍♂️💨💨💨 #64RdS
The Return
Froome has said that he intends to race on as normal, and started his season with a return in the Ruta Del Sol, with his eye on going for the Giro D’Italia and then the Tour.
His first stage back was an eventful bunch finish, but on the second he showed signs of needing the outing as he finished a solid seventh, pacing himself to come seventh, finishing 27 seconds behind team-mate and then leader Wout Poels. On his first proper test since coming back, apparently, he had already told team-mates earlier that he was not on form, according to Cyclingnews: "I called it pretty early. I told the team I wasn't feeling at my absolute best, and I said to the guys, 'Let's put everything behind Wout and give it everything we've got.”
The next stage passed without incident, but unfortunately for his chances he suffered a puncture on some bad roads before the vicious climb that came through to Alcalá de los Gazules, meaning that he dropped to 14th despite his best efforts at a recovery as Tim Wellens got the better of Mikel Landa upfront.
We also got to see Froome against the clock, once again finishing behind a team-mate in the closing 14.2km time trial to finish tenth overall. He was a little disappointed with his performance, claiming that he’d expected better at the end, although he did empty the tank as promised beforehand, taking a big step towards Tirreno-Adriatico.
What next?
Froome is heading to the Italian stage race Tirreno-Adriatico in March, as he still targets the Giro D’Italia. Should he win it and keep his titles, he will become one of just six riders in history to win all three Grand Tours, the others being Jacques Anquetil, Eddy Merckx, Felice Gimondi, Bernard Hinault, Alberto Contador and Vincenzo Nibali.
He also intends to retain his Tour de France title, and complete the double that Marco Pantani last completed.
Froome can still race until the resolution of the case, and with the second test, and investigation, and an appeal to come, it is highly likely we will have to wait months for a resolution. During this time Froome can race and win either or both of the Grand Tours, although if he is found to be guilty then his Vuelta will be stripped and so could any wins during this season.
