Chris Froome fired back at his critics on Monday, stressing he did not use performance enhancing drugs or undergo doping procedures to dominate this year's Tour de France.
"To compare me with Lance... Lance cheated, I'm not cheating. End of story," the British rider said on the race's second and final rest day Monday.
Froome solidified his position at the top of the general classification standings after finishing first in Sunday's excruciating race towards the iconic Mont Ventoux. However, his incredible performance also drew the attention of several critics, who questioned if performance enhancing drugs were behind the Brit's excellence.
Froome admitted he's increasingly getting frustrated with doping allegations thrown at him. The 28-year-old said he was sad that his epic win on Stage 15 is being linked to doping and performance enhancing drugs.
"It is just quite sad that we are sitting here a day after the biggest victory of my life, quite an historic win, talking about doping," Froome told reporters, according to Sky Sports.
"My teammates and I have slept on volcanoes to get ready for this, we have been away from home for months training together, working hard to get here. Here I am being accused of being a cheat and a liar, and that is not cool," added Froome, who became the first Yellow Jersey holder to win the Mont Ventoux race since the great Elly Merckx 33 years ago.
Froome took the second rest day of the 2013 Tour de France with a 4:14 lead over his next trailer, Bauke Mollema of Belkin Pro Cycling. Meanwhile, former Tour de France champion Alberto Contador of Team Saxo-Tinkoff is still within striking range at third place.
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