Merckx: Froome will win the Tour again as he has no real rivals

Five-time Tour de France winner Eddy Merckx doesn't believe Chris Froome has any real challengers for the 2016 yellow jersey

Chris Froome with Eddy Merckx at the 2013 Tour de France

Cycling great Eddy Merckx is backing Chris Froome to win his third Tour de France in four years next July, claiming the Team Sky rider has no real rivals for the crown.

Froome blew the peloton away on stage 10 of the 2015 Tour, beating eventual runner-up Nairo Quintana by a decisive 64 seconds and defending his lead all the way to Paris.

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Stuart Clarke is a News Associates trained journalist who has worked for the likes of the British Olympic Associate, British Rowing and the England and Wales Cricket Board, and of course Cycling Weekly. His work at Cycling Weekly has focused upon professional racing, following the World Tour races and its characters.