Cycling's world governing body (UCI) has notified the Briton of an 'Adverse Analytical Finding" from a urine sample taken after Stage 18 of the race. The sample had double the permissible limit of Salbutamol, which is permitted as a legal asthma drug by the Word Anti-Doping Agency.
"It is well known that I have asthma and I know exactly what the rules are," the Team Sky rider, who won the Vuelta, said in a statement.
Chris Froome. Photo: PHOTOSPORT
"I use an inhaler to manage my symptoms (always within the permissible limits) and I know for sure that I will be tested every day I wear the race leader's jersey.
"My asthma got worse at the Vuelta so I followed the team doctor's advice to increase my Salbutamol dosage. As always, I took the greatest care to ensure that I did not use more than the permissible dose."
The UCI said in a statement: "The analysis of the B sample has confirmed the results of the rider's A sample and the proceedings are being conducted in line with the UCI Anti-Doping Rules".
