Chris Froome (Sky) wants to successfully defend his Tour de France title next year while simultaneously proving that cycling, after decades of mistrust and suspicion, has finally entered into a new era devoid of illicit substances.

In recent cycling history both the now retired and disgraced American rider Lance Armstrong and the still active Spaniard Alberto Contador (Saxo-Tinkoff) have been stripped of Grand Tour wins by cycling authorities after drug related scandals.

Sick and tired of bearing the burdens of past sins Froome says he wants to become the first rider since Spaniard Miguel Indurain in 1995 to retain his Tour de France triumph without being blemished by a drug allegations.

In an interview with the BBC Froome explained: "I'd like to think if I can go back and do it again it will bring some credibility back to the sport."

Throughout his triumph on French soil during this summer, Froome, 28, repeatedly had to defend against allegations and insinuations that his vast superiority originated from the use of illicit doping.

Though evidently annoyed during the Tour, Froome added that he has come to terms with the fact that in the wake of Armstrong’s demise there will always be observers questioning both his success and that of Team Sky team-mate Sir Bradley Wiggins.

"I know for a fact some people were dubious about the results I got last [season] and Bradley the year before," Froome said. I know myself that my results aren't going to be stripped, but it will take time before people will see they are going to stand. I think we're through the toughest time of it now. It is really a minority of riders breaking the rules now and getting caught, but we are still living in that post-doping era where we have to deal with a lot of negativity."

As a result of his winning the Tour de France in such commanding fashion, Froome has been named on the 10-strong shortlist to succeed Wiggins as this year's BBC Sports Personality of the Year, which will be announced in Leeds later this month.

"It's a great honour to be included, especially given the strong year British sport has had," said Froome. "It's a prestigious award and it says so much for the emergence of our sport that a cyclist has managed to win it for three of the last five years."