‘Froome salbutamol case is terrible for the sport’

Manama : Bahrain-Merida leader Vincenzo Nibali has reacted bluntly to news that Chris Froome (Team Sky) has returned an Adverse Analytical Finding (AAF) for salbutamol, describing it as terrible news for him and for the sport.

The test took place September 7 following stage 18 of the Vuelta, a race which Froome won overall with Nibali finishing in second place. 

Froome and Team Sky are currently in the process of gathering their defence and although the rider has not been suspended, he could face a ban if the UCI fail to accept his case.

The WADA threshold for salbutamol is 1,000ng/ml but according to Team Sky Froome’s reading was double that figure. 

According to the UCI, Team Sky was notified of the finding on September 20, the day he finished third in the elite men’s time trial at the UCI World Championships in Bergen.

“If his case is confirmed as a positive nobody can give me back the emotions I would have felt by winning the Vuelta and climbing on the top step of the podium in Madrid,” Nibali is reported as saying by the Tuttobici website. 

Nibali is currently at the Bahrain-Merida training camp in Croatia.

“For sure this is a terrible news for the sport and for me.”

Nibali revealed he also suffers with asthma but suggested rain during the final stages of the Vuelta meant there was no need to use an asthma inhaler that contained salbutamol.