Former UCI president Brian Cookson confirmed he's known of Froome's dope test for months. But last week he called for Team Sky's reputations to be reinstated.
Cookson has known of Chris Froome doping anomaly
Brian Cookson has confirmed he knew of the Chris Froome doping test findings when he called for Team Sky’s reputation to be reinstated.
Pat McQuaid, also an ex-president of the UCI, had pointed out Cookson knew of the problems with Froome’s dope test when he commented on Team Sky last week.
McQuaid could not understand why Cookson spoke up for Sky. He said he did it despite knowing about the Tour and Vuelta champion's doping sample results.
Froome returned an Adverse Analytical Finding at the Vuelta a Espana. Asthma medication Salbutamol was found in his sample at twice the allowable dose.
The test result was returned after stage 18. The UCI is seeking an explanation from the rider and his team.
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Now Cookson has confirmed he did indeed know about the Chris Froome doping anomaly from the Vuelta as far back as September.
But he spoke in favour of the team last week anyway. He called for the reinstatement of its reputation.
Incredibly, he said he did so because he “mistakenly thought that the matter must have been resolved”.
Cookson has issued a statement to cyclingnews and the BBC. He said Froome received no special treatment while he was still UCI president.
Cookson on Chris Froome doping controversy
“I was informed Froome had provided an A sample with an anomalous result for a substance that did not result in an immediate provisional suspension the last 24 hours of my tenure at UCI,” he said.
“When I left the UCI the following day, the matter passed to the new president and, rightly, I was no longer informed about the matter.
"All anti-doping matters were dealt with by the totally independent CADF. And the Legal Anti Doping Service supervised by an external lawyer.
“As UCI president I therefore had no role or influence in any individual case. I had then, and still have today, confidence in the integrity of all those involved."
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