World cycling chief says Froome must have ‘safe’ Tour de France
Paris, France: The head of world cycling, David Lappartient, on Wednesday urged the public to ensure British rider Chris Froome has a "safe" Tour de France.
The world's biggest cycling race starts on Saturday, just days after four-time champion Froome was cleared of doping suspicions by the Union Cycliste Internationale (UCI), headed by Lappartient.
In a post on his Twitter account, Lappartient said the UCI's decision should be respected as should "all riders, including Chris Froome."
"He has the right to operate in a safe environment. I have heard calls, sometimes completely irrational, to violence on the Tour de France.
"I cannot accept that and I call on all spectators to protect all the athletes and to respect the judicial decision so that Chris Froome can compete in a safe and serene environment like all other athletes."
