Contador – Froome data release won't silence sceptics

Alberto Contador feels that Chris Froome’s decision to release data following physiological testing will do little to persuade people that he isn’t doping. The Spaniard does however believe that cycling is clean at the highest level, saying that attempting to cheat would be ‘like a suicide’.

During this summer’s Tour de France, Froome was dogged by suggestions that his performances were artificially enhanced – something that led Team Sky to take the unusual step of releasing his performance data from Stage 10 of the race to try and prove he was not cheating.

Since then, Froome has undergone physiological testing and has agreed for the results to be published in Esquire on December 3. The magazine will also publish data from 2007 when he was tested at the UCI’s World Cycling Centre in Aigle, Switzerland.

Contador, however, feels the move will be of more use as a symbol of greater Team Sky openness than as a means of actually changing people’s opinions.

"It won't give too much to resolve this problem,” he told The Guardian. “Maybe it's more important that people can see you being more open in the way you work. I think that's more useful than just giving out lots of data.”

The Spaniard clearly feels that it is Team Sky’s approach to the sport that leads to Froome attracting greater scepticism than the likes of Vincenzo Nibali, riding for the much-maligned Astana team; or himself, a man who has had two Grand Tour titles taken from him following a positive test for clenbuterol.

“Some people like Team Sky and Froome. Others dislike him. Maybe his system of work is hermetic,” he said. “It’s not open. Maybe they work in different ways to other teams and maybe people dislike this way of working. But we all have that. Every rider and every team has critics and fans.”

He did however express sympathy for Froome. “During the Tour you put in an incredible effort. And to lead the race takes even more. I still think cycling is a beautiful sport but some people just want to disturb the race. It’s sad.”

As for the sport as a whole, Contador believes that the anti-doping system now in place is ensuring cleaner racing.

“With the system of anti-doping control we now have and the quantity of those tests for the top riders, it is impossible to cheat. If you do it’s like a suicide. I’ve no doubt this is why it’s clean at the very highest level.”

Asked whether he’d kept an eye on revelations of doping in Russian athletics, he added: “Yes, but maybe I’m selfish. I only think of cycling. It’s my passion. The IAAF news is of secondary importance.”