Lance Armstrong: Froome's Reputation is Damaged

Lance Armstrong has given his reaction to the current controversy surrounding reigning Tour de France champion Chris Froome and admitted his own drug taking has damaged the sport's reputation

Notified by the UCI, Froome had twice the legal level of the asthma drug salbutamol in his system during the Vuelta a España in September.

Speaking on his podcast, Armstrong believes the scars left by his story continues to haunt the sport.

"Cycling is the sporting world's doormat and by the way, I have to take a lot of blame for that"  Armstrong said.

"I am trying to accept some responsibility here because I have tainted the whole equation, obviously, but I read a story in the New York Times that was so harsh on Froome and the sport. You don't get an accurate depiction of this situation by reading that."

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"This is so easy for the press to go after cycling and some of the bull****  I have read on this story has been so harsh. Reading that New York Times story, you would have thought Froome had a gallon of EPO for breakfast and that is not accurate and not fair to him."

Armstrong went on to suggest Froome should be given a chance to clear his name but suggested the British rider will struggle to rebuild his reputation after recent events.

"He should be allowed due process to explain what happened here and he could be completely exonerated, but he is tarnished forever. Damage is done," added Armstrong.

"This investigation could go on for months. Come next July, riding around France, it's going to be a nightmare."

"I don't know why this has been leaked to the media. Whoever leaked this had to remain anonymous and this happens a lot in our sport. It's frustrating."

Armstrong's lawsuit is scheduled to he heard in around May 2018.

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