(FILES) In this file photo taken on July 13, 2017, Great Britain's Christopher Froome, wearing the overall leader's yellow jersey, rides towards the finish line at the end of the 214,5 km twelfth stage of the 104th edition of the Tour de France cycling race between Pau and Peyragudes. Chris Froome was cleared on July 2, 2018 of wrongdoing in his 'anti-doping' case which had cast a shadow over his participation in the Tour de France. "The Union Cycliste Internationale (UCI) confirms that the anti-doping proceedings involving Mr Christopher Froome have now been closed," cycling's ruling body announced. Team Sky's four-time Tour de France champion has been under a cloud since he was found to have twice the permissible amount of asthma drug Salbutamol in his system during September's Vuelta a Espana, which he won. / AFP / Lionel BONAVENTURE
(FILES) In this file photo taken on July 13, 2017, Great Britain's Christopher Froome, wearing the overall leader's yellow jersey, rides towards the finish line at the end of the 214,5 km twelfth stagShow more

Chris Froome to defend Tour de France title after being cleared over failed drugs test



Chris Froome has been cleared of any wrongdoing by world cycling's governing body, the UCI, after an adverse drugs test.

The announcement comes just one day after French media reports that Tour de France organisers were seeking to block Froome from riding in this year's race.

Froome is now free to chase a fifth Tour title, with the race due to start on Saturday.

The four-time Tour de France champion's bid for a fifth title had appeared in serious jeopardy on Sunday when race organisers barred him from competing. But race director Christian Prudhomme has now lifted the ban

A drug test on Froome during last year's Vuelta a Espana found a larger than permitted dose of the asthma drug salbutamol in his system.

In a statement on Monday the UCI said: "The Union Cycliste Internationale (UCI) confirms that the anti-doping proceedings involving Mr Christopher Froome have now been closed."

Although Froome's sample was reported to contain a concentration of salbutamol in excess of 1000ng/ml, the UCI said it had closed the case based on World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) advice pertaining to permitted use.

________________

Read more

Watch: Chris Froome admits adverse test result 'damaging'

Froome 'followed doctor's advice' after 'adverse finding' in Vuelta a Espana doping test

________________

The UCI added: "The UCI has considered all the relevant evidence in detail (in consultation with its own experts and experts from WADA).

"On 28 June 2018, WADA informed the UCI that it would accept, based on the specific facts of the case, that Mr Froome's sample results do not constitute an AAF [adverse analytical finding].

"In light of WADA's unparalleled access to information and authorship of the salbutamol regime, the UCI has decided, based on WADA's position, to close the proceedings against Mr Froome."

In a statement released via Team Sky, Froome said: "I am very pleased that the UCI has exonerated me.

"While this decision is obviously a big deal for me and the team, it's also an important moment for cycling.

"I understand the history of this great sport - good and bad. I have always taken my leadership position very seriously and I always do things the right way.

"I meant it when I said that I would never dishonour a winner's jersey and that my results would stand the test of time."

Froome added: "I have never doubted that this case would be dismissed for the simple reason that I have known throughout I did nothing wrong.

"I have suffered with asthma since childhood. I know exactly what the rules are regarding my asthma medication and I only ever use my puffer to manage my symptoms within the permissible limits.

"Of course, the UCI had to examine these test results from the Vuelta. Unfortunately, the details of the case did not remain confidential, as they should have done.

"And I appreciate more than anyone else the frustration at how long the case has taken to resolve and the uncertainty this has caused. I am glad it's finally over.

"I am grateful for all the support I have had from the team and from many fans across the world. Today's ruling draws a line. It means we can all move on and focus on the Tour de France."

'Panga'

Directed by Ashwiny Iyer Tiwari

Starring Kangana Ranaut, Richa Chadha, Jassie Gill, Yagya Bhasin, Neena Gupta

Rating: 3.5/5

Results
  • Brock Lesnar retained the WWE Universal title against Roman Reigns
  • Braun Strowman and Nicolas won the Raw Tag Team titles against Sheamus and Cesaro
  • AJ Styles retained the WWE World Heavyweight title against Shinsuke Nakamura
  • Nia Jax won the Raw Women’s title against Alexa Bliss
  • Daniel Bryan and Shane McMahon beat Kevin Owens and Sami Zayn
  • The Undertaker beat John Cena
  • The Bludgeon Brothers won the SmackDown Tag Team titles against the Usos and New Day
  • Ronda Rousey and Kurt Angle beat Triple H and Stephanie McMahon
  • Jinder Mahal won the United States title against Randy Orton, Rusev and Bobby Roode
  • Charlotte retained the SmackDown Women’s title against Asuka
  • Seth Rollins won the Intercontinental title against The Miz and Finn Balor
  • Naomi won the first WrestleMania Women’s Battle Royal
  • Cedric Alexander won the vacant Cruiserweight title against Mustafa Ali
  • Matt Hardy won the Andre the Giant Battle Royal
ALRAWABI%20SCHOOL%20FOR%20GIRLS
%3Cp%3ECreator%3A%20Tima%20Shomali%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3EStarring%3A%C2%A0Tara%20Abboud%2C%C2%A0Kira%20Yaghnam%2C%20Tara%20Atalla%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3ERating%3A%204%2F5%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
Specs

Engine: Dual-motor all-wheel-drive electric

Range: Up to 610km

Power: 905hp

Torque: 985Nm

Price: From Dh439,000

Available: Now

UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
ICC Awards for 2021

MEN

Cricketer of the Year – Shaheen Afridi (Pakistan)

T20 Cricketer of the Year – Mohammad Rizwan (Pakistan)

ODI Cricketer of the Year – Babar Azam (Pakistan)

Test Cricketer of the Year – Joe Root (England)

WOMEN

Cricketer of the Year – Smriti Mandhana (India)

ODI Cricketer of the Year – Lizelle Lee (South Africa)

T20 Cricketer of the Year – Tammy Beaumont (England)