Froome has been ordered to explain to the International Cycling Union why a urine sample he provided at the Vuelta a España in September showed a concentration of the asthma drug salbutamol that was twice the permitted level.
“We want the situation to be cleared up, to get out of the darkness and ambiguity,” Prudhomme told France Info TV on Friday. “We obviously want an investigation to be conducted, and we don’t want it to last for months and months, so we can have an answer from the UCI as soon as possible next season.”
If found guilty of doping, the 32-year-old Froome could lose his Vuelta title and be suspended for a long period.
Prudhomme says he does not want Froome to ride in the Tour while being investigated. In 2011, Alberto Contador raced the Giro and won the race while under investigation following a positive test for clenbuterol. His title was later stripped and given to Michele Scarponi.
“Salbutamol is not a banned substance,” Prudhomme clarified. “What matters is the amount taken, that’s why an expert battle will take place, although it looks like the dose found was twice the permitted level.”
