Tour de France: Froome threatens expulsion from the Tour de France

The organiser of the Tour de France ASO apparently plans to ban the participation of four-time overall winner Christopher Froome. Although investigations are underway against the British man on account of a positive doping test, the UCI has not yet been banned.

The daily Le Monde now reports that the tour organisers refer to the 28th article of their regulations, according to which the organisers can refuse to allow a driver to participate if this would damage the reputation of the race.

A spokesman for Froome’s Sky Team confirmed the reports to the Guardian, but looked forward calmly: “We are confident that Chris Froome will drive the Tour de France. He didn’t do anything wrong.” According to Le Moons, the team also appealed to the French Olympic Committee. The case is to be heard on Tuesday.

Since this is a private event, however, the success of an objection seems small. Tom Boonen, however, had successfully declared his participation in the tour after a cocaine discovery in 2009.

UCI President David Lappardient announced a timely response to the Froome case: “I have always said that we will announce the UCI’s position before the tour starts. And it starts next Saturday, so we’ll talk during the week. I’m not commenting on the newspaper reports.”

Two-time stage winner Jens Voigt showed Sport1 understanding for the decision: “When you have a birthday party, invite people you like. The organizers want a quiet tour, I can understand that,” said Voigt.

The four-time tour winner Bernard Hinault reacted similarly: “He should not be there at the start of the tour. Simply because it has been tested positive.” Froome had been tested positive for salbutamol at Vuelta last September. The proven concentration was twice as high as the permitted limit value.

Froome stated afterwards that he had taken the remedy to combat his asthma: “My asthma got worse during Vuelta and I increased my dose of salbutamol. “As always, I have taken the greatest care to ensure that I do not use more than the permitted dose.”