Chris Froome has warned that this year’s Tour de France route and the limited amount of time trial will ensure a very close race as he fights to win a fourth yellow jersey and move closer to the select group of five-time winners.
Froome was confirmed as Team Sky’s team leader on Thursday and can count on the support of a veritable super team of support riders that includes Geraint Thomas, Michel Kwiatkowski, Sergio Henao and Mikel Landa. However Froome has yet to win a race in 2017 and was only fourth at the recent Criterium du Dauphine. He claims he has followed a “slow build-up’ to the summer. He is hoping to peak for the vital third week of the Tour de France and could go on to ride the Vuelta a Espana.
He knows he faces a serious challenge from former teammate Richie Porte (BMC), Alberto Contador (Trek-Segafredo), Nairo Quintana (Movistar), Romain Bardet (AG2R-La Mondiale) and many others as a change in Grand Tour generations appears likely.
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"It would just be incredible to win a fourth Tour. A lot of people say it's just another number, but each Tour to me tells a different story. It's a different battle in terms of getting that yellow jersey and then trying to hold on to it. Each Tour is so unique. To get a fourth victory would be incredible,” Froome said in a video interview provided by Sky.
"I do want to try and be up there with the guys who have won multiple Tours. They are seen as part of Tour de France history, and it's a goal for me to try and be up there with them."
Froome completed some final recon rides with several teammates in the Alps last week. He has often gained time on his rivals in the time trials but went on the attack on the descents last year to carve out his winning margin on Bardet and Quintana. We can expect more of the same this year, with Froome enjoying ‘mixing it up’ even on flat stages.
Key climbs and major rivals
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