Greg LeMond has launched a scathing attack on Team Sky, describing Sir Dave Brailsford as “secretive” and Chris Froome’s possible defence of his adverse analytical finding for salbutamol as “ridiculous”.

The three-times Tour de France winner and outspoken critic of Lance Armstrong told The Times: “I don’t believe in Dave Brailsford. He’s secretive, he skirts around questions, and from what I read and hear, the team is not as scientific and as knowledgeable as they claim to be.”

LeMond dismissed a suggestion that Froome may argue that his high level of salbutamol, found in a urine sample during La Vuelta last year, was caused by a rapid succession of puffs to prevent coughing during post-race TV interviews.

“Give me a break,” LeMond said. “That