Froome Blasts Critics

17 July 2015 03:35

Chris Froome rounded on his critics after maintaining his commanding Tour de France lead through the Pyrenees.

The 30-year-old's Team Sky squad, with Richie Porte and Geraint Thomas to the fore, successfully nullified attempted attacks by Alberto Contador, Vincenzo Nibali and Nairo Quintana on the 195-kilometres 12th stage from Lannemezan to Plateau de Beille on Thursday.

Joaquim Rodriguez (Katusha) won as Froome finished 10th alongside the main protagonists, protecting his advantage of two minutes 52 seconds from Tejay van Garderen (BMC Racing) on a stage which finished in torrential rain.

Froome has been subjected to innuendo and disparaging remarks following his dominant display on Tuesday's win at La Pierre-Saint-Martin and hit back on Thursday.

Among those pondering the legitimacy of Froome's performances - and he insists he is racing clean - are French commentators Laurent Jalabert and Cedric Vasseur, two former riders who both have their own historical questions to answer from an era where doping was rife.

"It's quite rich coming from cyclists like Jalabert and Vasseur to be commenting on my racing in such a way. I think it's really disappointing," the 2013 champion said.

"Those are the guys that a lot of people look up to. And here they are casting doubt on current cycling and a clean cyclist and a clean team.

"These guys are setting the tone for the public, for the fans. And in my opinion that is not correct."

The race now heads towards the Alps with Friday's 198.5km stage from Muret to Rodez.

It is a bumpy route, but there is a slim chance of a sprint finish and Mark Cavendish claiming a 27th Tour stage win.

Lance Armstrong rode on the route on Thursday with 11 other riders taking part in Le Tour-One Day Ahead.

Former England footballer Geoff Thomas is leading the group and aiming to raise £1million for Cure Leukaemia by riding the entire 3,360km route of the 2015 Tour one day ahead of the professional peloton.

Thomas is celebrating the 10th anniversary of entering remission and riding the 2005 Tour route, something for which Armstrong was his inspiration.

The 12-rider group, including Armstrong, will tackle stage 14 from Rodez to Mende on Friday before the American departs.

"Part of me would prefer to be at home chilling with my family," Armstrong said.

"This is not easy. But I didn't come over here to launch a PR campaign for myself.

"It's nice to do something for Geoff and for a good cause."

Armstrong pondered why he is treated differently to his contemporaries from a drug-ridden era.

The 43-year-old American, who was stripped of his record seven Tour titles claimed from 1999 to 2005 before confessing to using performance-enhancing drugs, pointed to other convicted dopers who are still involved in professional cycling.

He added: "We all rode in an unfortunate era. But if you're going to apply a standard it has to be universal.

"The sport is rife with hypocrisy right now."

Source: PA-WIRE