Chris Froome ready for a decisive four days in the final Tour de France mountains
The race leader dismisses talk that he doesn't have any real rivals for the overall lead in the third week of the 2016 Tour de France
Chris Froome (Team Sky) says he's ready for what will be a decisive four days in the mountains in the Tour de France after Tuesday's second rest day.
The race heads towards the Alps with an all Swiss stage to the summit finish at Finhaut Emosson on Wednesday, before an uphill time trial and two big Alpine days to Saint-Gervais Mont Blanc and over the Col de Joux Plane to Morzine prior to the arrival in Paris.
>>> Why aren’t Team Sky’s rivals attacking Chris Froome?
Yellow jersey Froome managed to navigate Monday's stage to Bern safely in the main pack as the peloton split on the final cobbled climb, and says that the upcoming week will be "a tricky four days" to stay on top of.
"The main thing for me and for Team Sky [today] was just to get me to the finish in one piece, hopefully not taking any gaps to my rivals or anything like that," Froome said.
"So thankfully it’s a day we can tick-off now and I think everyone is pretty grateful that we’ve got a rest day tomorrow and we’ll look forward to Alps in the next few days."
"I am looking at it as a four day block," he added, "four very tricky days.
Get The Leadout Newsletter
The latest race content, interviews, features, reviews and expert buying guides, direct to your inbox!
"Each day is different and has it’s own challenges. Obviously the time trial is quite important, but each day is extremely challenging, so it’s definitely in my opinion a four day block, as opposed to picking one day to really go hard on more than the other ones."
Froome continues to lead the race by 1-47 over Bauke Mollema (Trek-Segafredo) in second, with no-one able to break his lead (or even really try to) on the most recent mountain day on stage 15 to Culoz.
Nairo Quitana (Movistar) touted as Froome's closest rival prior to the race, made one short lived attack on Mont Ventoux before that incident, and remains 2-59 back in third.
While fellow Brit Adam Yates (Orica-BikeExchange) in second place has only really looked to consolidate his deficit of so far to Froome at 2-45.
Monday morning's headline on French newspaper L'Equipe read 'Sans Rivals'; that no-one is able to touch Froome at the top of the overall classification. However that was a notion Froome was quick to quash as the race heads into it's climax this week.
"I don’t agree [with the headline]," said Froome. "Other teams have said they’re going to attack this week in the Alps and I expect they will do.
"To say that the Tour is done and to say that the Tour is won, that’s rubbish.
"A lot can happen in four days; four days in the mountains. All you need is one bad day and you can lose minutes."
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
Follow on Twitter: @richwindy
Richard is digital editor of Cycling Weekly. Joining the team in 2013, Richard became editor of the website in 2014 and coordinates site content and strategy, leading the news team in coverage of the world's biggest races and working with the tech editor to deliver comprehensive buying guides, reviews, and the latest product news.
An occasional racer, Richard spends most of his time preparing for long-distance touring rides these days, or getting out to the Surrey Hills on the weekend on his Specialized Tarmac SL6 (with an obligatory pub stop of course).
-
Undercover Mechanic: Contrary to popular belief, the bike industry is not collapsing - but disinformation is rife
The overstocking amid the Covid spike is problematic, but some businesses are thriving, argues our insider
By Undercover Mechanic Published
-
You need to ride easy to get faster - and that might be easier than 'Zone 2', here's why
It's ell known that easy riding is the bedrock of endurance, but what exactly do we mean by ‘easy’? Charlie Allenby seeks clarification
By Charlie Allenby 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