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Froome, 33, had tested positive for excessive
levels of Salbutamol following a urine sample at last
September's Vuelta a Espana.
"On 28 June 2018, World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) informed the
UCI that it would accept, based on the specific facts of the
case, that Mr Froome's sample results do not constitute an
Adverse Analytical Finding," the International Cycling Union
(UCI) said in a statement.
"In light of WADA's unparalleled access to information and
authorship of the salbutamol regime, the UCI has decided, based
on WADA's position, to close the proceedings against Mr Froome."
The Briton had always denied any wrongdoing and has now been
cleared to race in this year's Tour de France, which begins on
Saturday, by the organizers who had attempted to prevent the
rider from competing while under investigation.
"We started a procedure three weeks ago claiming that Chris
Froome taking part in the Tour de France would damage the
reputation of the race. But now that the UCI has cleared him
there's no reason for us to prevent him from participating in
the race," Tour de France director Christian Prudhomme told
Reuters.
He added: "Obviously the rules need to be changed, when there is
an adverse analytical finding a rider should be provisionally
suspended."
Froome welcomed the news which means he can attempt to win a
record-equalling fifth Tour when the race gets underway in
Noirmoutier.
"I am very pleased that the UCI has exonerated me. While this
decision is obviously a big deal for me and the team, it's also
an important moment for cycling," Froome said in a statement.
"I understand the history of this great sport – good and bad. I
have always taken my leadership position very seriously and I
always do things the right way. I meant it when I said that I
would never dishonor a winner's jersey and that my results would
stand the test of time.
"I have never doubted that this case would be dismissed for the
simple reason that I have known throughout I did nothing
wrong... I appreciate more than anyone else the frustration at
how long the case has taken to resolve and the uncertainty this
has caused. I am glad it's finally over."
The Team Sky rider won the Giro d'Italia in May while the
investigation was ongoing.
"We have always had total confidence in Chris and his integrity.
We knew that he had followed the right medical guidance in
managing his asthma at the Vuelta and were sure that he would be
exonerated in the end, which he has been," Team Sky's team
principal Dave Brailsford said.
(Reporting By Arnab Paul in Bengaluru, additional reporting by
Christian Radnedge; Editing by Amlan Chakraborty and Angus
MacSwan)
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