Chris Froome has been drug-tested every day since he took the yellow jersey in the Tour de France 10 days ago. Drug-testers have visited Team Sky hotels 13 times since the race started 17 days ago, with Froome singled out more than his team-mates.
Froome addressed the doping question — one that has largely been absent from this Tour — as the race paused here in Bern with only five days remaining before Paris and a possible third title for the 31-year-old.
When he won in 2013 and 2015 there was daily speculation about whether Froome’s exceptional performances were possible without doping. Experts were canvassed on his climbing times and Froome was asked to provide physiological data.
One difference this time, claims Team Sky principal Sir Dave Brailsford is that Froome has gained much of his advantage in unexpected places.
‘People certainly aren’t asking the same questions as they have done in the past,’ said Brailsford. ‘It’s difficult to ask for VAM (speed of vertical ascent) and power data if you’re going downhill and dropping everybody.’
Two of Froome’s three attacks have been downhill (to Luchon on stage eight) and in crosswinds (to Montpellier on stage 11). The third, while climbing Mont Ventoux, was nullified by his collision with a motorbike, which left him bikeless and running in the final kilometre.
Froome said: ‘If I’m going to attack, I need a good reason. I’m not going to attack for the sake of it.’
Mark Cavendish last night pulled out of the Tour to focus on his bid for an Olympic gold medal in the omnium event in Rio next month.
The sprinter, 31, who rides for Team Dimension Data, won four stages, including the first at Utah Beach, to take the yellow jersey for the first time in his career. His overall tally of stage wins is now 30, second only to Eddy Merckx’s 34.
He said he took the decision ‘with great sadness’ and added: ‘I’m at a point that would have a detrimental effect on my other big goal for the year, the Olympics.’ – Daily Mail