Chris Froome told he can not compete in this year's Tour de France amid doping probe

Chris Froome’s wife has insisted he will race in this year’s Tour de France following reports he has been told he is not permitted to compete.

French daily newspaper Le Monde reported on Sunday that Amaury Sport Organisation (ASO), which owns the event, was trying to prevent Froome from starting the race because of an ongoing doping investigation.

The defending champion and Team Sky rider, who last week said he had every right to defend his title from July 7, tested positive for excessive levels of the asthma drug Salbutamol at last September's Vuelta a Espana.

But he is confident of being cleared of doping after an investigation.

"Chris will ride the Tour," Froome's wife and representative Michelle Froome told Reuters on Sunday.

The daily newspaper said ASO had sent a letter to Team Sky asking them not to include Froome in their team line-up to protect the Tour's image.

ASO was not immediately available for comment.

The Briton was criticised in June by five-times Tour de France winner Bernard Hinault, who called on riders to go on strike if four-times winner Froome competes at the race.