Chris Froome’s chances of winning this year’s BBC Sports Personality of the Year award have taken a blow after authorities confirmed he returned an ‘adverse’ drug test at the Vuelta a Espana this year.

The British cyclist had been a 10/1 shot to walk away with the coveted trophy in Sunday’s night’s ceremony, but has seen his odds drift all the way out to 20/1 as a result of the failed drug test.

Anthony Joshua’s grip on the market has since tightened into 1/7 while World Formula One Champion Lewis Hamilton remains Joshua’s main threat at 11/2.

Froome is now out to 5/2 from 4/7 to finish in the top 3 and drifts to 10/1 from 11/4 in the betting without Joshua market.

The winner is decided by public vote and will be revealed at Sunday’s ceremony at Liverpool’s Echo Arena.

Lawrence Lyons, Spokesman for BoyleSports commented “The news about Chris Froome looks to have dashed any hopes he had of winning the SPOTY gong and punters have clearly turned their backs on him as he has drifted all the way out to 20/1 in the outright market alone.”

He added: “It looks like the trophy is Anthony Joshua’s to lose, but it’s still in the hands of a public vote on Sunday, so we are still seeing plenty of support for Lewis Hamilton to win his second SPOTY award at 11/2, while Harry Kane to finish in the top 3 has been a popular bet in the run up to the ceremony after prolific year in front of goal.”

BBC Sports Personality of the Year Winner 1/7 Anthony Joshua 11/2 Lewis Hamilton 20/1 Chris Froome 33/1 Jonathan Rea 33/1 Mo Farah 40/1 Harry Kane 80/1 bar Betting Without Joshua 8/15 Lewis Hamilton 5/1 Jonathan Rea 6/1 Harry Kane 10/1 Chris Froome 10/1 Mo Farah 25/1 bar Top 3 1/66 Anthony Joshua 1/5 Lewis Hamilton 11/8 Jonathan Rea 15/8 Harry Kane 5/2 Chris Froome 10/3 Mo Farah 12/1 Adam Peaty 14/1 Jonnie Peacock 14/1 Anya Shrubsole 20/1 Ellie Christie 33/1 Johanna Konta 33/1 Bianca Walkden