Chris Froome's Tour de France participation thrown into doubt after Tour's owners 'block him from competing'
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Team Sky declined to comment on the story when asked by The Telegraph, although they did express confidence that the four-time champion would be on the start line.
“We are confident that Chris will be riding the Tour as we know he has done nothing wrong,” said a spokesperson.
Froome is fighting to clear his name after returning an adverse
analytical finding for asthma drug salbutamol at last year’s Vuelta a
Espana. He vehemently denies any wrongdoing.
The ASO has cited article 28 of its rules, which "expressly reserves the right to refuse participation in - or to exclude from - the event, a team or any of its members whose presence would be such as to damage the image or reputation of ASO or the event.”
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| Team Sky say they are confident Froome will be featuring at this year's Tour |
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With less than a week to go until the Grand Depart, Chris Froome’s Tour de France participation has been thrown into major doubt with reports in France suggesting that ASO, the Tour’s owners, have blocked the British rider’s participation over his ongoing salbutamol case.
Team Sky are appealing the decision, the report in Le Monde added, with a hearing due on Tuesday morning. A decision is set to be made the following day, with just three days to go until the start in the Vendee on July 7.
Team Sky declined to comment on the story when asked by The Telegraph, although they did express confidence that the four-time champion would be on the start line.
“We are confident that Chris will be riding the Tour as we know he has done nothing wrong,” said a spokesperson.
The ASO has cited article 28 of its rules, which "expressly reserves the right to refuse participation in - or to exclude from - the event, a team or any of its members whose presence would be such as to damage the image or reputation of ASO or the event.”