Chris Froome says sorry for Team Sky’s handling of Jiffygate crisis but fails to fully support Sir Dave Brailsford

CHRIS FROOME has apologised for Team Sky’s handling of the Jiffygate crisis — but failed to give Sir Dave Brailsford his full backing.

The three-time Tour de France champion broke his silence with a carefully worded statement to admit Sky had let people down.

Froome thanked Brailsford for his help but did not explain why he refused to give his 100 per cent support last week when asked to by his team.

The 31-year-old ace said: “I completely understand why people feel let down by the way the situation has been handled and going forward we need to do better.

“I would like to apologise for this on behalf of myself and the riders of Team Sky, who feel passionately about winning clean.

“I believe in the people around me and what we are doing.”

Brailsford’s handling of the fall-out from the medical package that was delivered to Bradley Wiggins in France in 2011 has been blasted by MPs and UK Anti-Doping.

Team Sky admitted mistakes were made and medical records were not properly kept — but insisted they are a clean team.

After reports last week that several riders were ready to ask Brailsford to quit, Team Sky asked them to publicly back him.

Froome, who was training in South Africa, did not tow the line and refused to put his name to a statement backing the team chief.

The Brit, who earns £4million-a-year with Sky, added: “With respect to Dave Brailsford, he has created one of the best sports teams in the world.

“Without Dave B, there is no Team Sky. He has supported me throughout the last seven years and I couldn’t be more grateful.

“By his own admission, mistakes have been made but protocols are in place to ensure they will not be made again.

“I know it will take time for faith to be restored but I will do my utmost to ensure that happens, along with everyone else at Team Sky.

“It disappoints me hugely to see the way Team Sky has been portrayed recently. It does not reflect the support crew and the riders I see around me.”

TIMELINE

JAN 2010: Froome joins new outfit Team Sky from Barloworld.
JUL 2012: Second at Tour de France behind Wiggins after row.
JUL 2013: Wins Tour de France, Crowned again in 2015 and 2016.
SEP 2016: Wiggins is revealed to have had three TUEs.
OCT 2016: Froome “surprised” by Wiggins revelations.
JAN 6, 2017: Refuses to back Brailsford after Jiffygate revelations.
MAR 6: Froome refuses to tweet support for Brailsford.
MAR 7: Declines to sign a riders’ statement supporting Brailsford after call from boss.
MAR 13: Issues own statement apologising for Jiffygate.