Amidst doping allegations Froome claims innocence

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London, December 14: Four-time Tour de France winner Chris Froome says he has not broken any rules after returning an "adverse" drugs test result during his victory at this year's Vuelta a Espana.

Froome had twice the permissible amount of asthma medication Salbutamol in his system during the Grand Tour race which he won in September, the UCI (cycling's governing body) and his team revealed.

"I understand this comes as a big shock to people," Froome said. "I certainly haven't broken any rules here."

UCI said an anti-doping test on September 7 showed more than the allowable level of Salbutamol which can be taken without needing a therapeutic use exemption (TUE).

The 32-year-old said he simply upped his dosage on the advice of the team doctor after his asthma symptoms got worse.

"I've been a professional cyclist now, treating my symptoms and racing with asthma, for 10 years," said Froome.

"I know what those rules are, I know what those limits are and I've never been over those limits."

The UCI has asked Froome to provide more information but in line with World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) guidelines has not suspended him.

"I've got a very clear routine when I use my inhaler and how many times. I've given all that information to the UCI to help get to the bottom of it."

He added the UCI was "absolutely right" to scrutinise the test results.