Froome, who is currently training in South Africa, immediately posted a denial on Twitter, saying: “I have seen the report in Corriere della Sera this morning – it’s completely untrue”. The investigation is expected to drag on for a while yet, however, with a number of Froome’s rivals, and even the UCI president David Lappartient, encouraging Froome to suspend himself voluntarily, or Team Sky to pull their rider out of competition, until it is resolved. “Without going into the question of guilt, it would be simpler for everyone,” Lappartient said earlier this month. “It’s up to [Team Sky principal Sir Dave] Brailsford to take his responsibilities. Apart from that, I think that it is what the other riders wish. They’re fed up with the general image [of cycling being tarnished].“ Both Team Sky and Froome clearly feel that self-suspending would be tantamount to an admission of guilt, with Froome instead understood to be considering whether to race in Spain or in Portugal in the coming weeks.
