A winless campaign, question marks over his form, and a team boss facing a seemingly endless interrogation over his credibility – winning this year’s Tour de France is without doubt Chris Froome’s and Team Sky’s toughest challenge yet. But as the three time winner packs his bags for Dusseldorf he tells Cyclingnews that he is up for the fight and on track.
The most noticeable and flagrant issue facing Froome ahead of this weekend’s Grand Depart surrounds his own form. Not since 2011 has the British rider endured such a long spell without victory. Mediocre results through the spring and early summer have only compounded the matter. June’s Criterium du Dauphine offered a glimmer of hope to suggest that Froome's condition was moving in the right direction but the race also brought into stark contrast just how far Richie Porte and several others were ahead of him.
That said, Froome and his coaching staff have remained resolute in their belief that he will peak for when it matters most - in July, before holding that form for a Vuelta a Espana challenge spanning August and September. Having finished second three times in Spain, this is the season in which the 32-year-old is hoping to attain the elusive Grand Tour double. In order to do so he has staked his claim by starting the season in a slower fashion. If not winning throughout the first six months of the season was part of the script, then Froome has learned his lines perfectly.
ADVERTISEMENT
“I’ve certainly not questioned my preparations,” he tells Cyclingnews in a phone interview.
“I’ve done everything possible to be ready for July. I’ve put in all the hard work and the training. Everything has gone in the right direction. My weight is right and everything is where it needs to be. Other people have upped their game and Richie is one of them. He’s having the season of his career so far and he was the strongest at the Dauphine on both the climbs and in the time trial. As a result of that I’d put him down as the favourite for July.”
Whether labelling Porte as the outright favourite is a true indication of Froome’s genuine beliefs, or whether the soundbite – first uttered by Team Sky’s leader on the final stage of the Dauphine - is little more than mind-games remains to be seen. However, Froome appears keen to ratchet up the pressure on his former teammate, in the nicest, and politest possible way, of course.
Greatest challenge
Brailsford's position
You can read more at Cyclingnews.com
via Cyclingnews Latest Interviews and Features http://ift.tt/2seXFn1
No comments:
Post a Comment