Sunday, 21 January 2018:
New world cycling boss David Lappartient has accused Team Sky of damaging the sport over their handling of the Chris Froome investigation.
Lappartient wants Froome to stand down from racing while the investigation continues into why he tested for a high level of the anti-asthma drug salbutamol at last September's Vuelta a Espana.
The UCI president was asked on Sunday if Sky's behaviour was damaging cycling.
"What do you think? Of course, yes," he said.
As Froome prepares his explanation for the high salbutamol reading, he is also training for the May Giro d'Italia and the July Tour de France.
Lappartient, the new UCI president, has said he hopes the issue will be resolved by the Giro.
But he admitted on Sunday it could take a lot longer than that.
"I don't know, this can maybe (take) one year - I hope not," he said on Sunday at Adelaide's Tour Down Under.
The UCI cannot force Team Sky to stand down Froome during the investigation.
He had permission to take salbutamol, but the test showed double the permitted limit.
Lappartient said cycling must follow procedure and cannot rush the investigation.
But he would support Giro organisers RCS and Tour organisers ASO if they decided to stop Froome from racing in their events.
Along with the Vuelta, they are cycling's three grand tours.
Asked if he would back the RCS and the ASO if they told Froome not to start, Lappartient replied: "I think so - I've said publicly, I think the best thing is for this time, waiting for the result is not to ride (race).
"So if ASO and RCS are going in the same direction, I can only agree with this.
"That's why I hope this will be solved as soon as possible.
"If he is not guilty, of course, he will be welcome."
But even Lappartient is not completely sure that the organisers could ban Froome from their races if the investigation is unresolved, given the possibility of legal action.
The Froome controversy also highlights broader concerns about potential abuse of therapeutic use exemptions, or TUEs, in top-level sport.
An athlete can apply for a TUE to take a banned substance on medical grounds.
Froome insists he had always operated under the rules.
Lappartient said he has spoken to world anti-doping body about substances such as tramadol and salbutamol.
"If they are allowed, they must be used in the correct way,," Lappartient said.
"TUEs are if you are sick or ill or if you have a problem, not to increase your (performance) level."
