Chris Froome denies breaking rules after drug test questions

Four-time Tour de France champion Chris Froome has refuted suggestions of hypocrisy after facing questions over his use of an asthma drug.

Britain's most successful road cyclist was questioned on Wednesday following the release of a test result taken during the 2017 Vuelta race, which showed a concentration of Salbutamol double the threshold of World Anti-Doping Agency limits.

Froome insisted his asthma symptoms were particularly troublesome during the event and denied claims of hypocrisy having previously spoken out against the use of TUEs (therapeutic use exemptions) to help cyclists manage the impact of medical conditions prior to key races.

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Last year - in an apparent reference to Sir Bradley Wiggins' use of injections to treat asthma and hayfever - he said TUEs were "open to abuse".

He has now denied any wrongdoing over his use of Salbutamol, which is not considered a TUE.

"I have been a professional cyclist and treating my symptoms and racing with asthma for 10 years now," he said.

"This is my 10th season as a cyclist. I know what those rules are, I know what those limits are, and I have never gone over those limits."

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The 32-year-old did not reveal any signs of suffering during the race itself and on 7 September - three days before the conclusion of the event - he told journalists he felt fine.

But on Wednesday Froome claimed it had simply been an attempt to hide any suggestion of weakness from his rivals.

"I am not going to openly admit halfway through or three-quarters of the way through that, yes, I am suffering here and I have a weakness - they are going to come out absolutely swinging," he said.

"The fact journalists were asking, 'Are you sick? Are you battling with something?' meant they could see I was having problems breathing. I was symptomatic at the time."

Froome has vowed to cooperate with cycling's world governing body, including handing over medical records and details of his "clear routine".

He acknowledged that news of the test result had come as "a big shock to a lot of people" - and that he understood the reaction "given the history of the sport" - but dismissed the idea that his legacy had been tainted.

"I stand by what I said to a lot of people," he said.

"I certainly haven't broken any rules, I haven't taken more than the permissible amount, and at the end of the day the truth will be told."