Bardet: "We must respect Froome" – Cycling

Chris Froome "invited" to the AG2R – La Mondiale press conference. Romain Bardet recalled that the case of the abnormal control is settled. He called for calm, respect for the leader of the Sky, wishing to focus solely on the athlete and on his goal to win the Tour. During the nine months of the Froome affair and his abnormal control of salbutamol (a medicine to treat asthma), Romain Bardet spoke on several occasions. And his words were as sharp as an attack from the Auvergne climber in the mountains. "If I were in his position, I would not just consider being at the start of the Tour de France and I would be ashamed to find myself bound to such a case," he said, there is a month.

"The case is settled"

The leader of the Sky was cleared last Monday by the International Cycling Union. The third of the Tour 2016 took note. "Let's deal with this issue from the outset to get into the sport," he said to the first question on the subject. "I am relieved that a decision has been made. We know where we are. Froome lived nine very painful months, all cycling too. The last few months have not been the best for cycling. Now the matter is settled and it is important that the Tour de France embark on a calm atmosphere and focus only on the sportsman. For a good half-hour, Bardet spoke about the Tour to come: the "traps" of the first week, Roubaix pavers "as difficult as a mountain stage", the time trial by teams , the mountain, the uncertainty about the presence of Tony Gallopin (*) and, of course, his goal to win the Tour, after a 2nd place in 2016 and a 3rd last year. "I necessarily want to do at least as well or better," he said, recalling that the race is full of pitfalls and that we must take the steps one after the other. A footballer would not have said better …

Neutral field and fair-play

By listing the list of his opponents in the yellow jersey, Bardet again had to dribble with Chris Froome at a question about the safety of the quadruple winner of the Tour on the roads of France. "Froome has been whitened. We all, runners and the public, must accept and respect this decision. The Tour is a great national holiday, it is inscribed in the depths of our heritage. It must be a nice party. For this, everyone must respect the riders and Chris Froome first. The race must take place on neutral ground with fair play. We talk about sports and no security problem. I have confidence in the French public ". The Bardet – Froome match can start. (*) At the time of the press conference, Tony Gallopin was carrying out a test to determine if he was sufficiently recovered from his crash at the French championship last Sunday. The teammate of Bardet will be well on Saturday.