Chris Froome in Tour de France 'dream position' despite criticism
Despite criticism during the Tour de France, Chris Froome says he is enjoying his time in the race lead with a tough finale in the Alps looming
Chris Froome has had to answer critics from every angle since taking over the Tour de France race lead, but says his enjoyment of the yellow jersey has not been diminished by questions relating to doping and his performance.
Sky's captain leads the race by a comfortable 3-10 minutes over Colombian Nairo Quintana (Movistar) heading into the final five days of the 2015 Tour. Ahead awaits the Pra Loup, La Toussuire and the Alpe d'Huez – and probably more questions regarding his credibility.
"Definitely not, no," Froome responded when asked if the questions take away from the joy of being in the race lead.
"This is a dream position to be in, with a decent advantage on most of my rivals. We are in yellow, nothing is going to distract from that."
Froome has answered questions about his power numbers, received boos and had urine thrown in his face since winning on La Pierre-Saint-Martin.
France 2 television commentator and former pro rider Laurent Jalabert said during live coverage: "It feels a little uncomfortable seeing the ease of Sky when contrasted with the distress experienced by the first three of the Tour last year."
Retroactive tests showed Jalabert doped with EPO during his career, and he himself has drawn criticism for his comments.
Get The Leadout Newsletter
The latest race content, interviews, features, reviews and expert buying guides, direct to your inbox!
>>> Chris Froome hits out at Laurent Jalabert on Twitter over doping insinuation
Froome sat outside the team's Ibis hotel in Sisteron in front of 50 to 60 journalists. The incidents during the last week, like Jalabert’s comments, were a "sideshow”.
"It was all going on on the sidelines," Froome explained. "My focus has been on the race to be honest. It was a normal week of racing at the office at the Tour de France."
Froome leads what was tagged the 'Big Four' heading into the Tour de France. He has 3-10 on Quintana, 4-23 on Alberto Contador (Tinkoff-Saxo) and 7-49 on Vincenzo Nibali (Astana). Quintana sits second overall and American Tejay van Garderen (BMC Racing) third at 3-32.
"Nibali did not have the same amount of questioning when he was riding to win last year," Sky's team principal, David Brailsford said.
"I don't know what it is. We were a little surprised in 2012, but in 2013 and now, we are ready for it.
"We seem to cop a lot of speculation," Froome continued.
"We've had a lot of doubts around our performances, while those same doubts aren't being given to the other GC contenders. Why is it just us? Thoughts on why? I don't know. Do you have any thoughts on this?"
Froome, after the press conference, lined up for photos with his seven team-mates and left for a two-hour training ride on the hot roads around Sisteron. Brit Peter Kennaugh had to abandon yesterday due to illness.
"If I compare how I was two years ago, to how I was on the second rest day, I feel that I'm in a much stronger position," Froome added.
"I felt like I was hanging on at that point. I'm happy where I'm at, I'm not fading."
Video: Tour de France 2015 preview - the Alps
Thank you for reading 20 articles this month* Join now for unlimited access
Enjoy your first month for just £1 / $1 / €1
*Read 5 free articles per month without a subscription
Join now for unlimited access
Try first month for just £1 / $1 / €1
Gregor Brown is an experienced cycling journalist, based in Florence, Italy. He has covered races all over the world for over a decade - following the Giro, Tour de France, and every major race since 2006. His love of cycling began with freestyle and BMX, before the 1998 Tour de France led him to a deep appreciation of the road racing season.
-
Are pockets on the Specialized Men's Prime SWAT Bib Shorts worth parting with extra cash? Perhaps
Pockets come at a premium, but these are a treat to wear if they meet your budget
By Sam Jones Published
-
'I'd love to be an F1 driver': Get to know GB track sprinter Emma Finucane
World sprint champion tells Cycling Weekly about her earliest Olympics memories, drinking coffee in Jakarta, and her passion for F1
By Tom Davidson Published
-
'It was time to change': No regrets for Rod Ellingworth after leaving Ineos Grenadiers
New Tour of Britain race director says he is still on good terms with Dave Brailsford after resigning from team last year
By Tom Thewlis Published
-
'I’m just here to enjoy it': Tom Pidcock on his surprise Paris-Roubaix appearance
British rider was a late addition to the Ineos Grenadiers team for the race across the pavé
By Tom Thewlis Published
-
The art of peaking with Geraint Thomas: 'It’s easy to take for granted that 9 times out of 10 I hit my goals'
The Welshman also calls for better governance in the sport to help it grow further
By Chris Marshall-Bell Published
-
Ineos Grenadiers’ 500th victory was claimed by a woman; why do they still not have a team?
The British squad is one of the richest in cycling - but Ineos still won’t stump up for a women’s team
By Adam Becket Published
-
'This is so much more than a number': Six of the best Ineos Grenadiers wins as team claims 500th race victory
Pauline Ferrand-Prévot took the 500th team win at the weekend
By Tom Thewlis Published
-
Tom Pidcock 'wouldn’t be surprised' to see attacks before the Poggio at Milan-San Remo
British rider will lead the line for Ineos Grenadiers alongside Filippo Ganna
By Tom Thewlis Published
-
Ineos Grenadiers delighted with Egan Bernal’s late cameo on stage one of Paris-Nice
Colombian snapped up key bonus seconds in the general classification battle on run in to Les Mureaux
By Tom Thewlis Published
-
‘It doesn’t change anything’ - Tom Pidcock’s coach on Tadej Pogačar at Strade Bianche
Kurt Bogaerts says the pressure is off for Pidcock as he looks to defend the title he emphatically won last year
By Tom Thewlis Published