Tour de France: Chris Froome says cycling isn't drug-riddled 'Wild West'
Team Sky rider insists sport has changed in last 10-15 years
Sunday 19 July 2015 20:51, UK
Chris Froome has insisted cycling is no longer a drug-fuelled “Wild West” and believes successful riders should not be automatically suspected of doping.
The 30-year-old Briton has faced scepticism from both the French media and fans on the roadsides after building a 3min 10sec overall lead of the Tour de France, which he safely defended on Sunday’s 15th stage.
Speaking at the finish line in Valence, Froome was adamant that supporters can trust the majority of the current professional peloton.
He said: "Times have changed. Everyone knows that. This isn't the Wild West that it was 10, 15 years ago.
“Of course, there are still going to be riders who take risks [with performance-enhancing drugs] in this day and age, but they are the minority. It was the other way round 10, 15 years ago.
"There is no reason in this day and age for that level or suspicion to continue. There is absolutely no reason."
Froome complained after Saturday’s 14th stage of the Tour that a fan had thrown urine at him and called him a “doper”, but he said the crowd’s behaviour had come full circle on Sunday.
He added: "It was a full-gas stage today, incident-free, and there was a great atmosphere out on the road.
"The fans and supporters who are out on the roads - the thousands and thousands of people - they are the heart and soul of this race.
“It’s great to be received in that way and have that kind of really positive energy from everyone.”
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