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Chris Froome faces probe after failed drugs test at the 2017 Vuelta a Espana

Froome returns abnormal result for salbutamol use during the 2017 Vuelta. More controversy for Team Sky surrounding the use of TUE's and Asthma medication

Four-time Tour de France winner Chris Froome has been required by cycling’s governing body the UCI to provide information after he returned an abnormal doping test at the Vuelta

Froome’s Team Sky said in a statement that Froome has been informed by the UCI that a urine test on Sept. 7 revealed a concentration of salbutamol of 2,000 nanograms, twice the threshold of 1,000 nanograms.

Sky said that the Kenyan-born rider had to take an increased dosage of salbutamol after he ”experienced acute asthma symptoms” during the final week of the race.

After successfully defending his Tour de France title in July, Froome went on to win Vuelta for the first time.

Froome said: ”The UCI is absolutely right to examine test results and, together with the team, I will provide whatever information it requires.”

If the Briton is unable to offer a sufficient explanation for the abnormal finding or challenge the result itself he will forfeit his Vuelta title under the rules of cycling’s world governing body, the UCI

“It’s a big shock, but I haven’t broken any rules”
Coming up now on @BBCNews at 10, Chris Froome tells us he’s innocent after drugs test leaves cycling’s 4-time Tour de France winner fighting for his reputation. pic.twitter.com/Ha4PU2DWkx
— Dan Roan (@danroan) December 13, 2017

Froome: "I know exactly what the rules are"

The team said Froome had formally asserted his use of the medication, adding: "The notification of the test finding does not mean that any rule has been broken."

"It is well known that I have asthma and I know exactly what the rules are," the Team Sky rider, who won the 2017 Vuelta, said in a statement.

"I use an inhaler to manage my symptoms always within the permissible limits and I know for sure that I will be tested every day I wear the race leader's jersey."

"My asthma got worse at the Vuelta so I followed the team doctor's advice to increase my Salbutamol dosage. As always, I took the greatest care to ensure that I did not use more than the permissible dose."

The UCI said in a statement: "The analysis of the B sample has confirmed the results of the rider’s A sample and the proceedings are being conducted in line with the UCI Anti-Doping Rules.”

Nibali "I suffer from the same problem"

"I read the news and the reaction of Chris and his team. It's too early to express a thought," he told Italian website tuttobiciweb during the Bahrain-Merida camp in Croatia.

"On those days it was raining in Spain, so it is difficult to suffer from asthma. I have the same problem, but when it rains, the pollen don't bother me and I don't even need to use the inhalator of Ventolin (Salbutamol)."

Nibali finished second at the Vuelta a España at two minutes and 15 seconds from Froome. "Certainly it is very bad news for the sport and also for me. If that positive gets confirmed, no one will give me the thrill of winning the Vuelta and getting on the top step of the podium in Madrid."

Chris Froome fails drugs test after Vuelta