by Our Sports Desk

CHRIS FROOME raced ahead in the battle for the yellow jersey yesterday, winning stage 10 of the Tour de France before asking what more he could do to prove he hasn’t been doping.

Team Sky principal Dave Brailsford alleged on Monday’s rest day that the British squad had their computers hacked by people convinced that Froome is using performance-enhancing drugs.

Froome, during his victorious 2013 Tour, was subjected to sustained interrogations and his performances were pored over by critics, with some using stats in a bit to prove their stance.

The 30-year-old Team Sky leader, who has always denied doping, can expect further inquisitions from a public sceptical after years of drug cheats winning the Tour following a stunning win.

“What haven’t I done? I’ve tried to be as much as a spokesman as I can for clean cycling,” Froome said.

“I’ve spoken to the CIRC (Cycling Independent Reform Condition), I’ve made suggestions to the governing body to implement things like night-time testing.

“I’ve pointed out when I’ve felt there hasn’t been enough testing, in places like Tenerife.

“What else is a clean rider supposed to do?”

Froome was composed in answering but he understands why the line of questioning was employed.

“It’s not difficult for me to stay cool,” Froome added.

“It would be a different story if I had something to hide. I know I’m a clean rider.

“I know I’ve worked extremely hard to be in this position. I’m really proud of that. It doesn’t make me angry.

“I do understand where the questions are coming from, the history of the sport and the people before me who have won the Tour.

“I am sympathetic, but at the same time there needs to be a certain level of respect also.

“I’ve worked extremely hard to get here. I’m not going to let anyone take that away from me.”

Froome ruthlessly attacked 6.4km from the end of the 167km route from Tarbes to the summit of the first hors categorie (beyond category) climb to surge to a fifth Tour stage success.

The 15.3km ascent averages 7.4 per cent but the first two-thirds of the climb was brutal in its gradient, with large sections over 9 per cent.

The explosive acceleration left his rivals in his wake as Froome grabbed the race by the scruff of the neck.

Eleven stages remain and this was the first mountain stage but such was Froome’s dominance that his fifth Tour stage win could be decisive in the race to Paris on July 26.

Froome now leads the entire race by 2:52 from Van Garderen.

Quintana is now third, 3:09 adrift, Valverde fourth, 4:01 behind, Thomas fifth, 4:03 back, and Contador sixth, another second adrift.