Press releases 4 December 2015

Independent physiological analysis: Chris Froome statement

As promised the results and analysis of the independent physiological tests I carried out this summer are published today. The tests were conducted at the GSK Human Performance Lab and I am very grateful to everyone there for their help. It is a truly world class facility. The testing was overseen by Dr. Jeroen Swart, a well respected sports physician and exercise physiologist. The initial results are on the GSK Human Performance Lab website and a more detailed scientific paper by Dr. Jeroen Swart will be published on this data once it has gone through the relevant review and submission processes.

The results today hopefully tell their own story. The process has also been a bit of a journey of discovery for me.  It prompted me to seek out comparative data from tests carried out in Switzerland in 2007 during my time at the UCI World Cycling Centre. I managed to get hold of these figures for the first time in September 2015 and they are published today alongside the Human Performance Lab data for comparison.

The figures make one thing very clear to me – if I ever needed any reminder. Natural ability is only one piece of the puzzle of what it takes to win an event like the Tour de France. I have always prided myself on my work ethic, dedication and perseverance but without the opportunities and support from Team Sky and Team GB I would not be where I am today. Team Sky’s belief in my ability, structured coaching and attention to detail have given me the platform to maximise my potential. I am proud to ride for a team that has shown that you can win the biggest bike races in the world clean. I can’t wait to start racing next year, to challenge for a third Tour de France title and, hopefully, to ride for Team GB in Rio 2016.

Given the history of our sport I believe all of us have a part to play in moving cycling forward and I am committed to playing a leadership role in doing that. I am realistic and recognise that these results will not convince everyone. The deceit of the past still casts its shadow over the present, but my hope is that more transparency like this can be another small step in helping rebuild trust in the sport I love. As Michelle and I are expecting our first child any day now, I also hope people understand why I won’t be doing any further interviews until the New Year.

• This media release was originally published on Chris Froome’s internet site on 4 December 2015. You can access the original by clicking here.

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