Chris Froome has spoken to the cycling media for the first time since his salbutamol case stating that there is 'a lot of misinformation out there' surrounding the case and that 'people will see it from my point of view' when the issue is resolved.
Speaking outside the team bus before his return to racing at the Ruta del Sol, the four-time Tour de France champion also responded to comments from UCI president David Lappartient that he should withdraw from competition while the process is on-going.
'We're in the middle of that process now and there is a process in place for me to demonstrate that I haven't done anything wrong,' said Froome.
'No one wants this resolved more quickly than I do.'
Many different theories have been written regarding which avenue Froome and Team Sky would take in combating the rider's Adverse Analytical Finding for salbutamol at the 2017 Vuelta a Espana. These have included Froome accepting a six month suspension.
However, Froome confirmed his plans to ride the Giro d'Italia and Tour de France remain even if the case is unsolved by the start of the Giro in May.
'As it stands, I’m as focused as ever on the season ahead and I’ll look to be in my best shape for the start of the Giro,' he said.
These intentions then forced Froome to deny comparisons between himself and Alberto Contador. The Spaniard was handed a retroactive ban for a positive clenbuterol test in 2010 and was subsequently stripped of his 2010 Tour and 2011 Giro titles.
On the comparison, Froome states, 'his case was very different, his case was for a banned substance.'
After speaking to press, Froome then rolled out for the start of the first stage of the Ruta del Sol, a lumpy 197.6km stage from Mijas to Granada.
Froome enters as a favourite for the overall title having won the race in 2015.