Cycling: UCI President David Lappartient has to face questions about Sky and Chris Froome almost every day. On the sidelines of the Tour Down Under he gave his statement to Cyclingnews. In doing so, he hit the same note, like the days before Tom Van Damme. David Lappartient agrees that Team Sky will harm cycling by continuing to field Chris Froome. At the same time, however, he admits that the UCI's hands are tied. However, he would welcome an exclusion of Chris Froome from the organizers of the big national tours.
“That would be very bad for cycling”
A few days ago, the UCI President was critical of Team Sky. David Lappartient asked Sky to suspend Chris Froome. Many hours have passed since then, but Team Sky has not responded. On the contrary: Chris Froome and his team are currently considering how they could escape a possible penalty. Particularly curious: Chris Froome wants to make excuses with an alleged kidney malfunction. David Lappartient expressed almost desperation to Cyclingnews during the Tour Down Under in Australia.
"I can't force her. Based on the applicable rules, they have the right to continue letting him drive. It's up to them to decide. But if he wins a few races and then gets penalized afterwards, it would be very bad for cycling. So I think it would be better to take some pressure off of it.”
UCI president: Team Sky's behavior is damaging cycling https://t.co/G2FqTgf0lY pic.twitter.com/nEz1IzcGoS
— Cyclingnews.com (@Cyclingnewsfeed) 21 January 2018
"Cycling returns to the past"
When he took office in September last year, David Lappartient stated that one of his most important goals was to help cycling regain more credibility. Now - only about four months later - the Frenchman sees himself in a less than comfortable position. He fears cycling could return to its dark past - and there is nothing the UCI can do about it at this time. When asked specifically by Cyclingnews whether Sky is harming cycling, Lappartient once again gave a clear answer.
"What do you think? Naturally. I saw in the newspapers and on the internet that cycling is going back to its past. I saw a newspaper from Brittany with Froome on the cover - and it wasn't a sports paper. It was like that in many countries. But as I said, we also have to be careful because Froome has every right to defend himself. But yes, it's bad for the image of cycling."
Lappartient repeated calls for Froome to stand down until the Salbutamol case is resolved: “I cannot stop him from racing and the rules allow him to race. It's bad for the image of cycling. “We must also respect the right for Froome to defend himself” pic.twitter.com/VX8SzqvtSm
— Andrew Hood (@EuroHoody) 20 January 2018
Lappartient would support exclusion from Tour & Giro
At the end of the survey, UCI President David Lappartient made an interesting statement. First he admitted that Chris Froome could possibly win the Tour de France and then be sanctioned. When asked about this crazy situation, Lappartient pledged his support to the Giro and Tour organizers – if they wanted to exclude the Brit.
"I guess so. But it's up to RCS and ASO. I know their rules say they can refuse drivers if they could damage their image.”
So to recap: David Lappartient and the UCI fervently wish that Chris Froome would not race while the decision dragged on. At the same time, their hands are tied. The UCI cannot force Team Sky, the organizers of the tours or Chris Froome himself to forego a start...
Lappartient said he would support RCS or ASO if organizers tried to prevent Froome from racing in their events (just hypothetically, no public indication they are considering that), said he hopes "Froome affaire" is cleared up as quickly as possible
— Andrew Hood (@EuroHoody) 20 January 2018