The lack of medical records left their reputation ‘in tatters’ according to Damien Collins MP, the chairman of the Department for Culture, Media and Sport’s Select Committee, but Team Sky hit back in a statement outlining the changes made to their medical governance in the nearly six years since that race.

And while Froome apologised on behalf of himself and his team-mates, the 31-year-old insisted that portrayal of Team Sky was not reflective of his own beliefs.

On Brailsford, whose own role in the controversy has attracted criticism after he initially claimed Simon Cope – who travelled to Geneva to deliver the package – was there to see Emma Pooley, who was in fact racing in Spain at the time, Froome threw his support behind him.

“With respect to Dave Brailsford, he has created one of the best sports teams in the world. Without Dave B, there is no Team Sky,” he continued.

“He has supported me throughout the last seven years of my career and I couldn’t be more grateful for the opportunities and the experiences I’ve had.

“By his own admission, mistakes have been made, but protocols have been put in place to ensure that those same mistakes will not be made again.

“I know it will take time for faith to be restored, but I will do my utmost to ensure that happens, along with everyone else at Team Sky.”

Froome is expected to race his first UCI WorldTour stage race of the season later this month, at the Volta a Catalunya, before his Tour de France preparations are stepped up.