Geraint Thomas backs Chris Froome and Team Sky over the Salbutamol saga and calls for a blanket ban of TUEs
The Team Sky rider told Cycling News that Therapeutic Use Exemptions only cause suspicion in a sport already swamped by controversy over doping
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Your support makes all the difference.Geraint Thomas has called for a blanket ban on Therapeutic Use Exemptions (TUEs) and life-bans for serious doping violations. The Welsh rider also defended his team leader Chris Froome, giving his full backing in the wake of an adverse analytical finding for the asthma drug Salbutamol at the Vuelta a Espana.
Thomas has played a significant role in Froome’s success at Team Sky, as a core member of the supporting team around the four-time Tour de France champion, and insisted that he retains full faith in Froome despite the recent furore.
And he believes the “grey area” created by TUEs creates unnecessary suspicion in a sport which already courts deep scepticism around doping.
Speaking to Cycling News, Thomas said: “Let’s say I was at the Tour and I was leading and then I got sick. I could technically have a TUE but I’m not sure I would because it’s going to come out, it’s going to be leaked, and then I’m going to be seen as a cheat even though I’ve had a genuine reason.
“I have a strong stance on anti-doping. So I’d get rid of TUEs and I’d ban people for life for blood doping, and EPO. Why give them a second chance? This life is a luxury, and I feel I’m in a privileged position, so if someone goes out of their way to break the rules then they’re just not needed.”
On Monday the MPCC, a voluntary group promoting cycling ethics, called for Team Sky to suspend Froome “on a voluntary basis” until his case is over. Thomas believes the team are right to stick by the rider and does not think Froome should have his contract terminated should he face a ban.
“If the team back him and trust him now then they should stick with him,” he said. ”That’s what they’ve decided now, so I don’t see the point in backing him and then if he does have a ban just fobbing him off. But I’m a bike rider and I have to abide by the decisions that the bosses in Team Sky make.”
Thomas confirmed that he will have a “free role” in the upcoming season with the opportunity to lead the team should Froome be banned, or struggle during the tour.
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