Despite leading the Tour de France, it hasn't been a magical ride for Chris Froome. The Team Sky rider extended his overall lead to just over three minutes on Saturday, but his achievement was marred by controversy.
It wasn't a soft drink can, nor punches that struck Froome. On this occasion, it was a cup of urine from a bystander.
"Unfortunately, someone threw a cup of urine into my face and shouted 'doper,' which is extremely wrong on so many different levels," Froome said (Sporting News). "I was really disappointed; it's not in the name of sport."
Such actions prompted a response from former cyclist Lance Armstrong, who sympathized with Froome and took partial responsibility.
"I guess anything I have to say regarding a bike race is going to be closely scrutinized," Armstrong told Sky Sports News after questioning Froome's credibility on Twitter (via Sporting News). "I get those questions all the time: can this be believed? Are these guys clean? I was simply answering the question. I put it out there as don't ask me that question because I don't know the answer."
"I tried to clarify it later by saying that I don't have any credibility on that issue," he added. "I know that and I don't really care. It's not my role to opine about that. By throwing it out there that I don't know, so don't ask me, it's somehow translated as these guys are dirty. That's the last thing I want to say because I don't know that."
"I feel bad about that and whoever is leading the Tour de France in 2015 should not be answering questions about someone who won it 10 or 15 years ago. That's just not legitimate or fair."
Froome will continue his quest on the hilly stage on Sunday from Mende to Valence.
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