Froome shocked on doping in team

By Daniel Benson in Paris

Tour debutant Chris Froome is willing to speak his mind on the problems that dog the sport. As he lined up for the final stage to Paris the Kenyan-born rider gave his assessment of the storm that engulfed his Barloworld team after Moisés Dueñas was removed from the race before stage 11 after it was announced that he had tested positive for EPO.

"To me it's just so shocking," he said. "You always hear about doping scandals and see them in other teams. When that happens you're tempted to just turn away. But to have it happen in our team was such a shock. Moisés is a really decent guy, it's something I didn't expect from him. I've not spoken to him since and I don't think anyone on the team has, either."

When asked about the punishments cyclists should face, and in particular those faced by Dueñas, Froome paused before taking a line that many cycling fans would openly applaud. "I'm sure he's in enough trouble as it is and that he'll regret it for the rest of his life. There's already the possibility of a two-year suspension, a jail sentence and huge fine to pay and I hope he accepts that. I'm sure that he'll regret it for the rest of his life. If that's the only way it's going to stop guys doping then we should throw them in jail."

Froome himself can look back at a job well done. Finishing strongly in 16th place in yesterday's time trial, his main goals of gaining experience and making it to Paris have been achieved, giving Barloworld the right type of positive to finish on.