Cycling: Dave Brailsford has been a controversial team boss for quite some time. At the latest after Drug delivery for Bradley Wiggins the British coach and manager seems to be under some scrutiny even within the squad. Brailsford has not commented on the Chris Froome case for a long time. Now he has broken his silence. Unsurprisingly, he believes Chris Froome is completely innocent. Brailsford also criticizes that Test result published wurde.
Brailsford has been silent for a long time
Sky team boss Dave Brailsford has long held back. He has not commented on the Chris Froome case since his press release in December. However, on Monday he announced that Chris Froome would be competing at the Ruta Del Sol. On the sidelines of the Tour of Colombia, Dave Brailsford even answered a few more questions about his protégé - at least more or less.
"For me, that's not a question at all. He did nothing wrong, no question, no question, no question.”
Chris Froome to line up at Ruta del Sol.
📝 > https://t.co/PbIrJPaaB6 pic.twitter.com/IF4A5AuJab
— Team Sky (@TeamSky) February 5, 2018
"I think he's innocent"
Dave Brailsford never tired of emphasizing that the situation is not easy for him, Team Sky and Chris Froome himself either. Many parties are involved.
“This situation is difficult. We want the UCI to govern the sport. Then we have the WADA rules and of course the team and the individual. My job is to take care of the team and the individual. I also have to think about sport in general. But I believe he is innocent."
Brailsford criticizes the publication of the test result
Many fans and officials have criticized the fact that it only became known in December that Chris Froome had submitted a conspicuous test many weeks earlier. Dave Brailsford, on the other hand, sees things completely differently. On the contrary: He criticizes that the test result was made public at all.
"It should still be confidential. It should never have been published at that point. Everyone has the right to a fair trial. For this reason we will support him and do everything we can to ensure a fair trial.”
Froome should get a fair - and quick - trial
In addition to the late release, the main point of criticism from fans and competing drivers is that the whole procedure is taking far too long. There may not be a decision at the start of the Giro d'Italia. Chris Froome will be at the start of the Ruta Del Sol and no one knows if his results will last. Dave Brailsford is therefore accused of dragging out the process. However, he himself rejects this guilt and claims exactly the opposite.
"We want it to happen as quickly as possible. The longer it takes for us and Chris himself, the harder it is. We want it done, but it has to be done right and there is a process. On the one hand we have to be fair and get the process, and on the other hand everyone wants everything to happen quickly. We're trying to get to a solution as quickly as possible where everyone can say, okay, we can move on."
Giro boss Vegni puts the pistol on the chest of the UCI in the Froome case