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news
Tim Kerrison (source Teamsky.com).jpgFroome coach attacks critics who ‘fuel anger or resentment’
Chris Froome’s coach has hit out at ‘particular sections of the media,’ arguing that they are fuelling anger and resentment. With Team Sky bracing itself for a hostile reception from some fans during this year’s Tour de France, Tim Kerrison believes that responsible coverage is necessary to ensure the riders’ safety.
Earlier this week, Bernard Hinault suggested that the peloton should go on strike if Chris Froome were allowed to race the Tour.
“Others have been sanctioned, but they won’t sanction him because they say it was an abnormal control? It’s banned and that’s it. The rules are the same for everybody,” he said.
Team Sky swiftly issued a statement accusing the Frenchman of making ‘irresponsible and ill-informed’ comments – specifically picking out his reference to a positive test, rather ‘an adverse analytical finding for a prescribed asthma medication’.
“If things are presented in a way that incites or sensationalises, or fuels anger or resentment towards Chris, then I don’t think that’s very responsible,” said Kerrison in an interview with the Guardian. “I think fair treatment in the media is a responsible requirement to ensure the riders’ safety.”
Froome has on several occasions attracted unwanted attention from the roadside during Grand Tours. In 2014, a fan at the Vuelta threw a stick at him and he was spat at a year later during the Tour.
Sky have been sufficiently perturbed by attitudes towards them that Froome has reportedly had a bodyguard for some time and Kerrison says they have now been given further advice.
“We have been talking for a long time about safety and security and we had a couple of BSkyB’s security team come to spend time with us, just to advise us on how we operate and can improve our safety and security at races.
“Our experience of riding in France and our experience of the public has been fantastic. But we also know there will also be a small part of the crowd who will be hostile and a few people who are haters and are particularly hostile.
“But you can address the core problem as well, which is the way some things are presented in particular sections of the media.”
Kerrison says a large part of the problem has been how long Froome’s case has dragged on for.
“Guilty or innocent, it shouldn’t take this long to resolve. If he’s found to be innocent it just shouldn’t take the months and months that it has done to resolve the situation.”
In the meantime, efforts must go towards convincing people that performances such as Froome’s in this year’s Giro d’Italia were achieved legitimately.
“We’re well aware of the history and that people have trouble believing what they’re seeing at times. I think it’s not unreasonable for people to question what they’re seeing.
“But I know that the whole peloton is riding faster than it was a couple of years ago. From what I can see in the data we have and the climb rates, if our riders don’t continue to improve they will be overtaken by the next generation of young riders.
“We are nowhere near the limits of human capability. A lot of the performances from a decade ago were enhanced but they were also neglected in other ways. Resources were spent in one area and not in legitimate performance enhancement. Now they are.
“My objective is to keep us ahead of the curve. I know that the performances we’re doing now aren’t going to cut it in two or three years’ time. There is a constant evolution in performance, with equipment, engineering, our knowledge of physiology, how to get the best through training and nutrition.”
Alex has written for more cricket publications than the rest of the road.cc team combined. Despite the apparent evidence of this picture, he doesn't especially like cake.
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27 comments
Tell that to the UCI and Froome will walk free.
I have my own theories, but wont bore you. I have seen first hand when authorities have been found wanting and how much they will delay before accepting the obvious. If UCI were sure footed a decision would of come a long time ago. Lets wait and see, in the meanwhile TDF next, Froome in with a great chance
IMO the only solution to all this is a complete tue ban.
If you're as asthmatic then elite cycling isn't within your reaches without medical help. Sorry, that's the luck of the gene pool. The guy that was born able to go up mountains without running out of breath wins.
Yeah right, pretty much obliterate all sports. Ventolin has been approved and shown not to enhance performance. Im off to do a TT today, oh wait I cant because I've just taken my ventolin
More on Froome, I hope he wins the TDF.
Froomey, Fromey
"It's not a positive test, it's an adverse analytical finding".
It's not a bank robbery, it's an undocumented withdrawal.
At the risk of a ban. Fuck off you *little prick! Now go and have a wank about that.
EDIT: *nauseating little prick
Can't we just have two races held side by side, one 'Performance Enhanced' and the other not? The 'PE' teams could then be sponsored by Monsato, Bayer, GSK etc going all out to win by drugs. It would be a bit like in motor racing with F1 and Formula e. Might be funny.
If you want transparency, why not call for all teams' TUE's - any outstanding AAF's - and all personal medical and performance data to be released? Why this obsession that Sky/ Froome are evil and single-handedly bringing down cycling's reputation? They could disappear tomorrow and you'd still have a problem, only you'd be blissfully (or perhaps wilfully) unaware.
Come on! I bet people like Vinikourov are pissing themselves right now..
Who says I'm not?
Taking PEDS or misusing TUES is not the problem that I have with team SKY.
Tim, it's Team SKY's attitude that is fuelling all the discussion. If you could just be a bit more transparent, you might just find that the arguments go away and we argue about something else. Trust me, we will argue about something. I would also suggest that instead of stoking the fires, that you shut the fuck up and get on with your legal boundary pushing, all in the name of competitive sport.
But to be honest, it's getting so, so boring now, and all a bit sad.
Regards.
Cycling can only benefit from the departure of Team Sky and Chris Froome.
Yeah cos everyone else is totally clean and legit
Until they're found with adverse findings or a failed drug test or having used banned substances on the naughty, naughty, then yes. Unless you can prove otherwise, of course.
We can't go round throwing accusations widly, that'd be a very sad state of affairs.
Ah so NOW you want to follow due process??
Always have. It's the piss taking from Team SKY that's.... well... taking the piss. What with their Jiffy bags, lost lap tops and inability to explain the Salbutamol. Show me the others and I'll make a judgement on their behaviour too. If say "fair cop, guv" and do their time, I'll happily see them back in the peloton. But I've gone through this before and it's fucking boring. You won't catch me out.
Lol
Go on then smart arse. Where's the contradiction of my view and where's the sarcasm? You're usually pretty good at picking this (the sarcasm) up.
You said it.
I'm just pointing it out.
Why don't you explain where the sarcasm is?
And you have indeed pointed it out, when you've finished dry humping my leg, could you explain why you pointed it out and what the fuck your point is, please?
Answer my question first and I'll consider it.
Until then you can whistle.
You really are 12 years old, aren't you?
Once again you can't back up the shit you post.
You really are an embarrassment.
You don't appear to need anyone else's help.
Cycling can only benefit from the departure of people who jump to conclusions and are prejudiced and biased. On your bike.
I am waiting with anticipation for all the verbal (and practical) shit-flinging at TdF! It is going to be so much fun!