UCI President David Lappartient insists Team Sky should suspend Chris Froome after his urine test at last year's Vuelta Espana showed double the allowed amount of the asthma medication Salbutamol.
Lappartient, who defeated Brian Cookson in the presidential race for the world governing body last year, also claimed that was what the other cyclists in the peleton wanted.
"Sky should suspend Froome," Lappartient told Le Telegramme, as quoted by the Guardian. "Now, it's not up to me to interfere. Without wishing to comment on the rider's guilt, it would be easier for everyone [if Sky suspended him].
"It's up to [Sky's team principal Dave] Brailsford to take his responsibilities. Quite apart from that, I think that's what the other riders want. They're fed up with the general image."
Froome has denied any allegations of wrongdoing, while earlier this week Floyd Landis, who was stripped of his Tour de France title due to a positive doping test, stated that a ban for Froome would signal the end for Team Sky.
But the end looks to be far from sight as Lappartient acknowledged that the legal process could last for at least a year.
"It's going to be a judicial battle that will last a long time. This affair won't be sorted out in two minutes, it could last at least a year," he added.