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Team Sky should suspend Chris Froome according to UCI president

David Lappartient hopes Team Sky suspend Froome until the case is resolved

David Lappertient

David Lappertient

UCI president David Lappartient does not want Chris Froome to be racing while the investigation into his adverse analytical finding for salbutamol is ongoing. While Team Sky and Froome are in the process of building a defense to present to the UCI Legal Anti-Doping Services (LADS), it could take months before a decision is reached. Froome intents to race the Giro d’Italia and Tour de France in 2018.

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“Team Sky should suspend Froome,” Lappartient told daily Le Telegramme.”However, it is not up to me to interfere. Without going into the question of guilt, it would be simpler for everyone.

“It’s up to Brailsford to take his responsibilities. Apart from that I think that it is what the other riders wish,” he said echoing the setiments of a growing number of proffesional riders.

While Lappartient hopes Sky don’t start Froome at the Giro d’Italia if the case remains open, he would prefer the case to be resolved before the start of the Italian grand tour.

Froome just needs to stay out of trouble on Saturday and a fourth title is his. Photo credit: ASO

When asked by Neue Zürcher Zeitung whether he through the case would be resolved before May 6 when the Giro starts in Jerusalem, Lappertient responded, “I hope so. The case is very bad for cycling. He is the most famous rider we have.”

Though Lappertient isn’t confident that will be the case. “Froome is not a rider like any other. He has more money. He can find more experts who can speak for his case. He can submit more exculpatory documents,” he said.

“We cannot simply wipe these statements off the table. It is important to solve the case quickly, but also to protect the rights of the rider,” Lappertient who was elected UCI president in September.

While a decision may be recommended by LAPS after the defense by Froome is presented, there could then be an appeal. Froome could appeal the case to the UCI anti-doping tribunal which could then go all the way to the Court of Arbitration for Sport. WADA or the UK Anti-Doping Agency could also appeal the decision if they don’t agree with LAPS decision.

In 2010, Alberto Contador tested positive for clenbuterol at the Tour de France. In January of 2011, the Spanish Cycling Federation cleared Contador but that decision was appealed by the UCI and the World Anti-Doping Agency but Contador was allowed to continue competing until CAS came to a decision. Contador was eventually stripped of the 2010 Tour de France title, the 2011 Giro d’Italia he won while still allowed to compete and fifth place in the 2011 Tour de France after he was found guilty and suspended for accidentally ingesting the prohibited substance.