There is an interesting article in today's Sunday Times written by David Walsh. He states that WADA "has unpublished research in its possession that clearly demonstrates its anti-doping regulations regarding Salbutamol don't work. More than that, they are likely to produce false positives".

The Salbutamol threshold use by WADA was based on research on athletes in one-day competition. They hadn't worked out what happens in multi day events such as the grand tours. WADA commissioned a research group from Denmark to look at the effects of Salbutamol use over a number of days. The group allowed 20 participants to take eight puffs (the permitted limit) on five consecutive days. Seven of them recorded levels above the 1,200ng/ml threshold and one was as high as 3,000.

Froome's Salbutamol recorded levels during last year's Veulta were all over the place and there were some occasions when it was zero. The test has been demonstrated to be not fit for purpose and it is this more than any submission by Froome's legal team that led to him being cleared. Waksh expects WADA to change their rules on Salbutamol.

Walsh says "I cannot blame those who voice their disapproval of Chris Froome because I know him well and also doubted him. It was a judgement call I now regret." Walsh by the way was the journalist who was the most dogged in pursuing Armstrong for years when few others were interested.