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In an unbelievable open letter addressed to the French public and the wider cycling community, Chris Froome, on the eve of the Tour de France, strove to clarify the anti-doping saga that undermined his lead over the race
. the letter of the French daily Le Monde four-time winner of the Tour de France Froome, seemed to excuse the hosts for the confusion and the bad press that the saga had provoked, while revealing how the events were place.
"I thought so when I went up on the Champs-Elysées podium and said that I would never dishonor the yellow jersey and that my results would stand the test of time.I do not go – and they will do it I love this sport I am passionate about the Tour To win a race based on a lie would be for me a personal defeat I could never let that happen, "writes Froome
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"Like everyone else I count the hours before the start of the tour.The Great Start is one of my favorite days This is the time when all of France begins to create the unique magic that is the Tour. I can not wait to compete again on the best stage of cycling in front of his most passionate fans. "
Froome recorded an abnormal test result (AAF) for salbutamol, an asthma drug, which means that it exceeded the allowable dose." the Vuelta a Espana the last year
BED COLD OPEN LETTER IN THE WORLD BELOW
But the Brit was allowed to ride in Le Tour after the conclusion of a survey on an abnormal test sample
Froome extensively reviewed the examination and examination process, revealing the leak of its confidential result of abnormal analysis
"I know that many of you will not have followed the detail. I have therefore wanted to expose the facts very simply so that you can reach your own judgments, "says Froome
" J & # 39; have suffered with asthma Since my childhood and, like millions of asthmatics, I 've been using a salbutamol inhaler to help manage the symptoms. Towards the end of the Vuelta, I' m suffering from asthma. I experienced an acute worsening of my asthma and increased the number of puffs under medical supervision.
"This was not an anti-doping violation or a positive test rather than a so-called result." suspected abnormal analysis.This is meant to be confidential.Any athlete in these circumstances has the opportunity to explain how this could happen before a judgment is reached.Every year, other athletes are informed about the AAFs, explain them and give up the problem. My case is that this confidential process was unfortunately leaked and became public. "
Froome's authorization to ride in the big race was polarized, with a police presence of a thousand to follow the Sky Team King around France
The head of the International Cycling Union (UCI), David Lappartient, was forced to denounce the calls for "violence" during the three weeks while the French government declared that he would deploy all the necessary means to ensure security.] COMPLETE LETTER OF CHRIS FROOME IN THE WORLD
"On Saturday, the biggest annual sporting event of the world begins in Vendée Pays de la Loire. I am proud to start the Tour as the defending champion and I will obviously fight to win the yellow jersey.
But I also recognize that the preparation of this race was not the easiest – for me, for the organizers and for all of you – the cycling fans and the people of France who are the heartbeat of the Tour.
An abnormal reading of my asthma medications from the Vuelta in Spain last year raises legitimate questions. Monday's decision of the governing body of Cycling, the UCI and WADA (the World Anti-Doping Agency) confirmed that I had done nothing wrong. I hope this will help lift the shadow of doubt. More importantly, he is drawing a line that allows us all to focus on the bike race.
That said, I recognize that there are complex problems that can not be summarized in one sentence. I know that the French public is fair. I know that many of you will not have followed the details of the case, so I wanted to expose the facts very simply so that you can reach your own judgments.
Cycling: Chris Froome, winner of the Tour de France 4 times
Froome eyes of 2018 Tour
I have suffered from asthma since my childhood and, like millions of years ago. asthmatics, I use a salbutamol inhaler to help manage the symptoms. Towards the end of the Vuelta, I experienced an acute worsening of my asthma and increased the number of puffs under medical supervision. I know exactly what the rules are and how many puffs I am allowed to take. I also know that I will be tested at the end of each stage when I'm in the leader's jersey – indeed, I've been tested 23 times during the Vuelta. And it is also worth noting that the use of an asthma inhaler does not present any benefit in terms of performance. It is a purely medical treatment.
A few weeks later, I was informed that one reading was higher than all others and above the limit of AMA. This was not an anti-doping violation or a positive test rather than what is known as an alleged abnormal test result. It's supposed to be confidential. Any athlete in these circumstances has the opportunity to explain how this could happen before a judgment is reached. Every year, other athletes are informed about the AAFs, explain them and give up the problem. The difference in my case is that this confidential process was unfortunately leaked and became public.
Of course, when that happened, it was inevitable that some people would exercise judgment. It is always difficult for someone who knows that he has done nothing wrong to question his integrity. That said, I am realistic. I know the history of sports, good and bad – and I would be the last to complain about the scrutiny.
The UCI's decision to exonerate me was taken after nine months of careful analysis. Although it took a lot longer than we would have liked, it means that our scientists and the experts from WADA and the UCI have all had the opportunity to examine everything in detail. The time it took should give everyone the confidence of how they did their job.
So, after the decision of the UCI / AMA, what do we know? First of all, we know that it is possible to take the same amount of salbutamol every day and to have very different readings. There does not seem to be a reliable correlation between what you inhale and what you excrete. We also know that a reading can be significantly affected by dehydration. I was not twice the limit as it was reported. Dehydration has been taken into account.
It was interesting to hear one of the scientists responsible for creating the salbutamol regulation for WADA expressing concern this week about the greater risk of false positives after dehydration. my case was rejected. There are issues that need to be urgently addressed – and I'm sure they will – because no one wants other clean athletes to face a similar situation. I welcome the release by WADA of the scientific studies they have relied on to create the current testing regime and to exempt me from it. I'm sure this will help everyone understand the complexity of the case and the risk of false positives for all athletes who suffer from asthma and use Salbutamol to manage their symptoms.
I thought so when I was on the Champs-Elysees podium. and said that I would never dishonor the yellow jersey and that my results would stand the test of time. I'm not going – and they will. I like this sport. I am passionate about the Tour. Winning a race based on a lie would be for me a personal defeat. I could never let that happen.
Like everyone, I count the hours before the start of the tour. The Grand Départ is one of my favorite days of the year. This is the moment when all of France begins to create the unique magic that is the Tour. And I can not wait to compete again on the most beautiful cycling scene in front of his most passionate fans. "
Froome's open letter was originally published in the French newspaper Le Monde
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