'Now is the time for Chris Froome to race the Giro d'Italia'
Cycling greats have their say at the Giro 2017 route presentation as to whether Chris Froome should challenge for the maglia rosa next year
Team Sky's Chris Froome should participate in the 2017 Giro d'Italia because it suits him and it is the 100th edition, say cycling's stars.
>>> Giro d’Italia 2017 route revealed
Organiser RCS Sport presented the route on Tuesday night in Milan. From May 5 to 28, It celebrates the Giro’s long story since it first left Milan in 1909 by travelling most of Italy and only briefly going abroad.
The route includes 67.2 kilometres of time trials, more than the Tour de France, and four to five summit finishes. Froome already gave the route his stamp of approval when it was leaked on the eve of the presentation.
>>> Why Chris Froome won’t jeopardise Tour hopes by riding the Giro
"It's the time for him to race because a complete rider should win the Giro, the Vuelta and the Tour," Italian Felice Gimondi told Cycling Weekly.
"The entire route suits him. Two time trials, a handful of summit finishes. He goes strongly on all terrain, so it'd be perfect for him."
Get The Leadout Newsletter
The latest race content, interviews, features, reviews and expert buying guides, direct to your inbox!
Gimondi won all three Grand Tours, including the Tour in 1965 and his home race three times.
"It would be a Giro for Froome. With all these climbs, he could win it," said Francesco Moser, Classics champion and 1984 Giro victor.
"He last raced in 2010, he wasn't yet the Froome that we know today. Now, it's the time for him to do it. If he doesn't do it, it's going to become too late for him to try again."
"It's a hard final week, but when he's at the Tour de France in full form, he's hard to beat," added Spaniard Miguel Indurain, who won the Tour five times straight and twice the Giro/Tour double.
“He could win this Giro, also given the TTs. It's time for him given that this is the 100th edition, it's a special Giro. He should honour this Giro and try to enter its history books."
The Giro includes a rolling time trial for stage 10 that travels 39.2 kilometres through Umbria's Sagrantino wine region. For the first time in five years, it closes with a time trial, 28 kilometres of flat roads from Monza Formula 1 track to the Duomo in Milan.
"I saw his tweet when our route was leaked, and I'm happy he liked it," RCS Sport's cycling Director, Mauro Vegni told CW when the presentation finished.
"It was not designed for Froome, clearly, but it's suited to him given his strengths. There are many climbs, and if you do mind, I'd like to say that they are harder climbs than the Tour. The time trials help balance out the race, that's our idea. So if the mountains penalise some, they can return with the time trial."
Alberto Contador (Tinkoff) and Vincenzo Nibali (Astana) are the only modern cyclists who have won all three grand tours. Nibali, who is expected to return in 2017, won his second title this May.
"He needs to come and try to win the Giro once in his life," Nibali said. "He will be able to see for himself how much affection there is here in Italy and how much love we have for cycling. The Giro is big. If he comes here, we'll all be happy to have him."
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.
-
Introducing the start-up that helps cyclists find local mechanics and get a 'better service'
'We want to support the majority of the smaller, independent chains that are out there,' says Bikebook founder
By Tom Davidson Published
-
What pressure are you running? Three different pressure monitoring systems, put to the test
Real-time pressure sensors allow you to test your own tire pressures to go faster, be more comfortable, and get fewer flats
By Tyler Boucher Published
-
Giro d'Italia 2024 start list: Geraint Thomas to lead 'aggressive' Ineos Grenadiers
All the teams and riders for the 107th Giro d'Italia
By Adam Becket 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