Craig Reedie
Newly elected World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) President Craig Reedie gestures during the 2013 World Conference on Doping in Sports in Johannesburg November 15, 2013. Briton Reedie will be the next president of WADA after his selection to the position was confirmed on Friday. Reedie, the only candidate to succeed Australian John Fahey, was elected by WADA at a board meeting after the World Conference on Doping in Sport ended on Friday. REUTERS/Stringer (SOUTH AFRICA - Tags: SPORT HEADSHOT)

The World Anti-Doping Agency has slammed spectators, who criticised Team Sky’s Tour de France winner Chris Froome, over reports of fans and media directing doping suspicions at the British rider. Froome, who was a victim of consistent abuse from fans during the Tour, has been scrutinized by observers and French media, accusing the Briton of taking performance-enhancing drugs after killing the climb during the 10th Stage of the race.

WADA president Sir Craig Reedie believes the 30-year-old Froome should not have had to endure such behaviour from fans during the 102nd edition of Tour de France, according to Sky Sports. Reedie said he was very disappointed about the incidents concerning the Team Sky riders and hopes that only a very small number of spectators were involved in harassing Froome and his team. However, the 74-year-old Reedie is still convinced that French cycling supporters behave well despite several reports of irksome behaviours directed at Sky cyclists.

"I do welcome the efforts that have been made to change the whole culture of the sport, and I think it must have been difficult for the team to operate under such intense scrutiny,” Reedie said to Daily Mail.

The British sports administrator opened discussions about a wide and extensive testing procedures for the Tour de France participants. Reedie suggested that unless there are evidences of doping to the accused, all sports people must be given the benefit of the doubt. Reedie also cited the importance of Union Cycliste Internationale’s self-governing commission report and independent anti-doping agency in taking part in the doping suspicions directed at Froome.

Froome had suffered a lot of outburst from fans during the three-week long Grand Tour. The British rider had reportedly been splashed with a cup of urine on face and had constantly heard fans calling him “dope” during the closing stages of the race.

Despite the doping accusations, Froome has been reportedly tempting to participate in Tour of Spain, which begins in Puerto Banus on August 22, according to the Guardian. After winning his second Tour de France title in three years, Froome is looking to become only the third rider to pull off the Tour and Vuelta double.

“I would say it’s a bit early to say 100% but I think that could potentially be on the cards, certainly. I know it would be a massive challenge to back it up with another grand tour now, especially to go there with the aim of going for the general classification again,” Froome said upon his return to London.

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