Chris Froome and Team Sky clearly believe Froome will be in the Tour de France. While many in the sport, including Tour owners ASO, have made noises about him not riding, he's front and centre of Team Sky's new Tour kit launch. The new kit is specifically for the Tour and seeks to highlight the problem of ocean plastics.
Team Sky ocean plastic Tour de France kit
The UCI and the owners of the Tour de France, ASO, have both suggested Chris Froome should not ride the Tour de France this year.
And sources in ASO have indicated it may block Froome riding because his presence might harm the Tour.
Even Bernard Hinault has weighed in. He has said Chris Froome shouldn't have been in the Giro. And he was concerned that Froome would ride the Tour.
- Pressure mounts on Team Sky as UCI boss calls for Froome suspension
- Froome could be blocked from Tour de France over “image” concerns
- Bernard Hinault comes out very strongly against Chris Froome
Normally everyone would be clambering for Froome to be at their race. The UCI would certainly want Froome in he Tour.
Advertisement
But the rider returned an adverse sample of asthma drug salbutamol. And the matter is still not resolved.
While any rider is legally permitted to race under such circumstances, Froome's case is taking a long time to resolve.
However, Team Sky has pressed ahead and launched its kit for the Tour de France.
And in a move that will undoubtedly be labelled as provocation, certainly presumptive, in some quarters; it has placed Froome at the centre of the kit launch.
The new gear, it has to be said, is quite cool looking. And the team using the Tour to highlight the growing problem problem of ocean plastics is a noble one.
The kit is "developed from ocean plastics material". And Team Sky says it is working to removed all single use plastics from its operations.
Related News
If Froome gets into the Tour, he will be aiming for his fourth Grand Tour win in a row. And he is delighted his employers are focusing on the ocean plastics cause.
“It’s great that the team are getting behind such an important issue – one that is having a huge impact in the world we live in today," he said. (Story continues below photo)
Froome continued: “The special-edition kit is fantastic and will really help to raise awareness at the Tour de France. But it’s important that the legacy continues after that.
"We look to build on the amazing work Sky have done so far with their Sky Ocean Rescue campaign with our own ‘Race to 2020’ commitment.”
Dave Brailsford, one of the most unpopular men in pro cycling at present, said ocean plastics was now a really pressing issue.
“Sky Ocean Rescue has been at the forefront of a global campaign on single-use plastics over the last year and it is making a real difference,” he said.
“We are proud to join this important fight to change behaviour and help save our oceans.
“Like all parts of society, cycling must do more to reduce its reliance on single-use plastic at every level.
“The nature of our sport means we have a special responsibility to the environment and at Team Sky we want to take a lead.
“At the upcoming Tour de France, the Team will be wearing a striking new kit design to highlight the issue to a global audience of millions.
“We want to encourage people across the world to think about their own use of plastic and make changes in their everyday life. We are all in a position where we can make a difference.”
Topics
