The anti-doping proceedings against Chris Froome have now been closed, the Union Cycliste Internationale (UCI) announced in a statement today.
Team Sky’s Froome has been under a cloud since returning twice the permissible amount of asthma drug Salbutamol, in excess of 1000ng/ml, during last year’s Vuelta a Espana, which he went on to win.
The anti-doping proceedings against Chris Froome have now been closed, the Union Cycliste Internationale (UCI) announced in a statement today. Photo: Gian Mattia D’Alberto/LaPresse
“The UCI has considered all the relevant evidence in detail in consultation with its own experts and experts from the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA),” the statement said.
“On June 28 [this year], WADA informed the UCI that it would accept, based on the specific facts of the case, that Froome’s sample results do not constitute an adverse analytical finding (AAF).
“In light of WADA’s unparalleled access to information and authorship of the salbutamol regime, the UCI has decided, based on WADA’s position, to close the proceedings against Froome.”
“The UCI understands that there will be significant discussion of this decision, but wishes to reassure all those involved in or interested in cycling that its decision is based on expert opinions, WADA’s advice, and a full assessment of the facts of the case.
“The UCI hopes that the cycling world can now turn its focus to, and enjoy, the upcoming races on the cycling calendar.”
Froome, who won the Giro d’Italia in May, would now be able to turn his focus to the Tour de France, starting on July 7.
