Richie Porte shocked and flabbergasted by Froome adverse analytical finding

Long-time friend and former teammate of Chris Froome reserves judgement on controversy

Philippe Tremblay January 5, 2018

Chris Froome’s long-time friend and former Team Sky teammate Richie Porte has said he was shocked and flabbergasted by the news of the adverse analytical finding from the Vuelta a España. Froome returned twice the allowed concentration of salbutamol in his urine following Stage 16 of the Spanish grand tour.

“There’s not really much you can say—whatever you say, you can’t win,” Porte said to the Australian Associated Press about the controversy. “But it’s a big shame. When I heard the news, it was a massive shock.”

Porte and Froome roade together for four seasons at Sky during which Froome won two Tour de France titles in 2013 and 2015. Their programs nearly mirrored each others during their pursuit of glory in France.

After the adverse analytical finding, Froome is tasked with devising a defense that adequately explains why a prohibit concentration of the asthma medication was found in his test during the Vuelta. Porte has reserved judgement until WADA and the UCI come to a verdict.

“Let’s see what happens, let it all run its course,” Porte said. “I’m flabbergasted, as you guys are.”

Many have chimed in on the controversy including Lance Armstrong who said Froome’s reputation is tarnished forever. “I do have respect, he’s a good friend and we were teammates for a long time,” Porte said after finishing third at the Australian individual time trial championships.

The winner on the day was Rohan Dennis who was more heavy handed with his judgement of Froome. “I’ve made it no secret that I have a zero tolerance for any sort of positive test and that goes for myself,” Dennis said.

“If I accidentally or purposefully take something—which I never would, purposefully take something—then you just have to own it and get a slap on the wrist,” Dennis explained. “Try to move on and try not to make a mistake again.

“I don’t know the full details, but for myself, if that was me, I’d just say ‘look, I screwed up, I shouldn’t have done this, or what-not’.”

While Froome’s adverse analytical finding doesn’t look good in isolation it looks even worse considering the past dealings involving Sky including Bradley Wiggins mysterious jiffy bag and therapeutic use exemptions revealed by the Fancy Bears leaks, and Sergio Henao’s biological passport ordeal which he was cleared from in 2016.