Chris Froome doubts Team Sky data release will stop doping claims
BRITAIN’S Chris Froome does not expect Team Sky’s release of his performance data to silence accusations of doping but insists the furore will not derail his bid for a second Tour de France title.
Froome’s dominant victory surge to a summit finish on stage 10 has been the subject of much scrutiny since his power output was described as “abnormally high” by a commentator on host broadcaster France 2 on Sunday. Team Sky disputed the figures used in the analysis of runaway Tour leader Froome’s power output and pedalling speed, and yesterday revealed their own data in an attempt to answer their most vociferous critics.
“I’m not sure if numbers are going to fix everything, but certainly, I feel as a team and myself, we are definitely trying to be as open and transparent as possible,” said 2013 winner Froome.
“We have been asked more questions than any other team. I have been asked more questions than any other GC [general classification] contender. I would like to think we are answering those questions.
“I really am focused on the racing side of things. I have worked too long to let anything throw me off. That is all just happening on the side.”
Team Sky principal Sir Dave Brailsford, meanwhile, felt compelled to correct the statistics which had arrived in the public domain regarding Froome, who leads the Tour by three minutes and 10 seconds with five stages remaining.
“What France 2 did, putting out that headline – seven watts per kilo – a picture of Lance Armstrong and a picture of [Jan] Ullrich, that was so wildly wrong on so many levels,” said Brailsford, of two of cycling’s most recent cheats. “We thought we should just correct that and give the concrete facts so hopefully people could judge for themselves.”