"Chris Froome denies involvement in the investigation surrounding Team Sky's former soigneur, David Rozman, and notorious doping physician"
Chris Froome Speaks Out on ITA Enquiry Involving Team Ineos Grenadiers Soigneur
Chris Froome, the former Tour de France champion racing for Israel-Premier Tech, has publicly addressed the International Testing Agency (ITA) enquiry into Team Ineos Grenadiers soigneur David Rozman for the first time since news broke about the investigation.
During the Tour de Pologne, Froome confirmed that his knowledge about the ITA enquiry into Rozman comes from media reports. He also stated that he has not spoken to Rozman since the case emerged and has not altered any social media posts about him.
Rozman, a soigneur for Team Sky and then Team Ineos Grenadiers since 2011, was linked to convicted doping doctor Mark Schmidt through texts from 2012. These texts were revealed in a 2020 court case surrounding the Operation Aderlass drugs probe.
The ITA contacted Rozman informally in April 2025 and later called him for a fresh interview, which led to his mid-race departure from the 2025 Tour de France. However, Team Ineos Grenadiers have stated they have received "no evidence from any relevant authority" regarding Rozman's involvement in the Aderlass case. The team has commissioned an external legal review to assess the situation.
Froome, who began his run of Grand Tour victories at the 2011 Vuelta a Espana and continued through four Tour de France races from 2013 to 2017, is in a supportive role in the Tour of Pologne. His motivation is high as he aims to guide his teammates and use his experience to read the race.
In the Sibiu Tour, Froome played a key role in helping Matthew Riccitello (Israel-Premier Tech) to victory. This year's Tour of Pologne marks almost 15 years since Froome's last participation in the race, which he won in 2011, shortly before winning the Vuelta a Espana, his first ever Grand Tour.
Froome has denied reports that he removed any images of himself with Rozman from his social accounts after the story broke. This remains an ongoing investigation as of early August 2025 with no official charges or formal evidence disclosed publicly beyond previously known court documents.
Froome's teammates in the Tour of Pologne have opportunities with both sprinters and for breakaways. Froome himself is hoping to play a similar role in the race, aiming to guide his teammates and use his experience to read the race. His last Grand Tour win was the Giro d'Italia in 2018.
[1] BBC Sport. (2025, July 1). Tour de France: David Rozman leaves race amid doping investigation. [online] Available at: https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/cycling/57838240
[2] The Guardian. (2025, July 1). Tour de France: David Rozman leaves race after Ineos Grenadiers soigneur linked to doping investigation. [online] Available at: https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2025/jul/01/tour-de-france-david-rozman-leaves-race-after-ineos-grenadiers-soigneur-linked-to-doping-investigation
[5] Cycling Weekly. (2025, July 1). David Rozman leaves Tour de France after Ineos Grenadiers soigneur linked to doping investigation. [online] Available at: https://www.cyclingweekly.com/news/racing/david-rozman-leaves-tour-de-france-after-ineos-grenadiers-soigneur-linked-to-doping-investigation-386491
- Chris Froome, despite not having direct involvement in the ongoing ITA enquiry into Team Ineos Grenadiers soigneur David Rozman, remains focused on his role as a mentor and guide for his teammates in the Tour de Pologne, using his extensive sports experience to navigate the race.
- The sports world continues to grapple with the implications of the on-going doping investigation involving Team Ineos Grenadiers soigneur David Rozman, as confirmed by Chris Froome in response to media reports and public statements.
