LONDON • Three-time Tour de France winner Chris Froome has stated that he was neither offered, nor administered, any of the 55 doses of the corticosteroid triamcinolone that were ordered by Team Sky between 2010 and 2013.

The issue remains part of an investigation by UK Anti-Doping (Ukad) into allegations of possible wrongdoing at the British racing team.

As he prepares to attempt a fourth Tour de France victory next month, Froome said: "I can only speak about my experiences in the team at the time. I certainly haven't been offered triamcinolone."

Team Sky themselves confirmed the ordering of the triamcinolone in the wake of the revelation by the Ukad head, Nicole Sapstead, that far more of the drug had been obtained than would have been needed for the three injections taken by Bradley Wiggins in 2011, 2012 and 2013.

Those injections were cleared by the UCI (International Cycling Union) through therapeutic use exemptions to combat pollen allergies.

That revelation and questions over the contents of a jiffy bag delivered to the team's then-doctor Richard Freeman at the Criterium du Dauphine in 2011 are likely to dog Froome and Team Sky throughout the Tour, which starts in the German city of Dusseldorf next Saturday.

Asked what had gone through his mind when the triamcinolone purchase was made public, Froome replied: "Honestly I haven't given it much thought.

"I've been so focused on trying to get ready for July and I think the investigation has been happening in the background.

"I've been happy to let it be, let the professionals deal with that. My focus has been solely on July.

"I can't really comment on who's had what injuries or illness along the way. I don't know those details. Those aren't something I can account for myself - it hasn't been something I've got involved in."

Froome added he is currently in the process of negotiating a new deal with Team Sky, with whom he is contracted until the end of next year.

THE GUARDIAN