CHRIS FROOME’S renewed protestations of innocence yesterday were accompanied by doubts about why the four-time Tour de France champion was not immediately suspended for failing a doping test.

Froome has been ordered to explain to the International Cycling Union (ICU) why a urine sample he provided at the Spanish Vuelta in September showed a concentration of the asthma drug salbutamol that was twice the permitted level.

While accepting the case is “damaging” for a sport scarred for years by doping scandals, Froome maintained Team Sky has the evidence to prove he is not guilty of cheating.