Chris Froome began his season on Wednesday by confirming he planned to ride in this year’s Giro d’Italia and Tour de France, even if an investigation into his positive drugs test was ongoing.

The four-time Tour champion Froome is fighting to avoid a ban after returning an adverse analytical finding for asthma drug salbutamol during last year’s Vuelta a Espana – a race he won in a historic Tour-Vuelta double.

Several rivals, as well as International Cycling Union president David Lappartient, have called for Froome to be suspended by Team Sky until the case is resolved.

But the 32-year-old will race on and finished safely in the main bunch on the opening stage of the Ruta del Sol between Mijas and Granada on Wednesday, a stage won by France’s Thomas Boudat (Direct Energie) in a sprint finish.

Stating he saw no reason why he should not start the Giro and Tour if the case was ongoing, Froome said: “No one wants this resolved more quickly than I do.