Chris Froome loses the Criterium du Dauphine as Team Sky fend off French accusations
CHRIS FROOME'S Team Sky yesterday spent the morning fending off accusations that he had received preferential treatment from cycling's governing body - before the afternoon saw him have his worst mountain performance of 2014.
Froome and Team Sky woke up to find themselves facing allegations in a French newspaper, Le Journal de Dimanche, of procedural irregularities in the UCI's handling of a certificate which legally allows riders to use certain medications when ill, awarded last May to Froome.
Both the UCI and Sky later strongly denied any misdoing, with Sky's Team Principal Sir Dave Brailsford saying it was "ridiculous."
"Dr Zorzoli, the UCI doctor, told us what we could and couldn't [do], we've always stayed within the rules, so we've got nothing to hide," said Brailsford.
Then yesterday afternoon, Froome suffered badly on the final day of Criterium du Dauphine.
On this last high mountain stage, he lost more than five minutes to the day's winner, Sky team-mate Mikel Nieve of Spain.
And, with the Tour de France less than three weeks away, defeat meant Froome slumped to twelfth overall behind champion Andrew Talansky of the USA.
Chris Froome finishes the #Dauphine in 12th place but wins points jersey. Andrew Talansky won the GC, 27sec ahead of Alberto Contador.
— Team Sky (@TeamSky) June 15, 2014