🔺 What to do when markets are at an all-time high? Find smart bargains, like these.See Undervalued Shares

Froome says GC battle will commence from day one

Published 03/07/2015, 19:41
Updated 03/07/2015, 19:45
© Reuters. Team Sky rider Froome of Britain looks on during the opening ceremony of the Tour de France cycling race in Utrecht

By Martyn Herman

UTRECHT, Netherlands (Reuters) - Chris Froome reckons there will be no phoney war when the Tour de France begins with a 14km individual time trial through the streets of the picturesque Dutch city Utrecht on Saturday.

The pancake flat loop will see the 198 riders put the hammer down in temperatures expected to reach 36 degrees Celsius and significant time advantages are up for grabs, according to the British rider who won the Tour in 2013 but abandoned last year after several crashes in the early stages.

"Tomorrow's prologue time trial is definitely the start of the GC (general classification) battle," 30-year-old all rounder Froome, one of the main favourites along with Spain's Alberto Contador, Italian Vincenzo Nibali and Colombia's Nairo Quintana.

"Even though it's short at just under 14km there can be time gaps and I believe there can be time gaps of 20 seconds between some of the main GC contenders."

While nothing will be won or lost in Utrecht, a poor ride or getting unlucky with some of the predicted thunderstorms could put some of the main contenders under early pressure.

With cobbled sections and uphill finishes to cope with in the first week or so, months of preparation could be ruined.

Add in a larger than usual pool of riders with GC potential and it is no wonder tha Froome believes the 102nd Tour could be one of the "most contested" in recent years.

"The race is open, it's not just a two-horse race," he said. "It's a race where when we get to the mountains you can't just watch one guy, there is maybe a list of eight guys who if they go you have to react.

"That's the beautiful thing about this year's race. It's going to be full on."

Froome has a formidable team at his disposal including Australian Richie Porte, one of the most feared climbers in the peloton, British quartet Geraint Thomas, Pete Kennaugh, Ian Stannard and Luke Rowe and Czech Leopold Koenig.

Team boss Dave Brailsford said the lineup gives Sky the ability to be more pro-active than usual with more stage wins a possibility, rather than just plotting overall victory.

"We will race a bit more than maybe we have in previous years," he told reporters. "That will be the big difference. If the opportunities arise (for stage wins) we'll take them."

Asked about the make-up of the first nine stages, he said fans would be in for a treat.

"What we want in sport is suspense, variation, riders to be challenged in different ways. So different types of stages with a lot of variety is a good thing," he said.

© Reuters. Team Sky rider Froome of Britain looks on during the opening ceremony of the Tour de France cycling race in Utrecht

"The way the race has been designed this year is very interesting, it's made for a great race."

Latest comments

Risk Disclosure: Trading in financial instruments and/or cryptocurrencies involves high risks including the risk of losing some, or all, of your investment amount, and may not be suitable for all investors. Prices of cryptocurrencies are extremely volatile and may be affected by external factors such as financial, regulatory or political events. Trading on margin increases the financial risks.
Before deciding to trade in financial instrument or cryptocurrencies you should be fully informed of the risks and costs associated with trading the financial markets, carefully consider your investment objectives, level of experience, and risk appetite, and seek professional advice where needed.
Fusion Media would like to remind you that the data contained in this website is not necessarily real-time nor accurate. The data and prices on the website are not necessarily provided by any market or exchange, but may be provided by market makers, and so prices may not be accurate and may differ from the actual price at any given market, meaning prices are indicative and not appropriate for trading purposes. Fusion Media and any provider of the data contained in this website will not accept liability for any loss or damage as a result of your trading, or your reliance on the information contained within this website.
It is prohibited to use, store, reproduce, display, modify, transmit or distribute the data contained in this website without the explicit prior written permission of Fusion Media and/or the data provider. All intellectual property rights are reserved by the providers and/or the exchange providing the data contained in this website.
Fusion Media may be compensated by the advertisers that appear on the website, based on your interaction with the advertisements or advertisers.
© 2007-2024 - Fusion Media Limited. All Rights Reserved.