Chris Froome backs Team Sky to move forward as it looks to repair damaged reputation

Brailsford has insisted he will not be resigning despite the ongoing UK Anti-Doping investigation into allegations of wrongdoing which has heaped scrutiny on the British squad.

It was recently reported that unnamed Team Sky riders had held internal discussions to consider whether to ask Brailsford to quit. The former British Cycling performance director later received the public backing of Geraint Thomas and many other riders, although an endorsement from Froome was conspicuous by its absence.

But Froome, the Tour winner in 2013, 2015 and 2016, finally issued a considered 200-word statement yesterday.

“Without Dave B, there is no Team Sky,” Froome said.

“He has created one of the best sports teams in the world.

“He has supported me throughout the last seven years of my career and I couldn’t be more grateful for the opportunities and the experiences I’ve had.

“By his own admission, mistakes have been made, but protocols have been put in place to ensure that those same mistakes will not be made again.

“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.”