Sastre: Chris Froome's Tour/Vuelta double is not impossible
Carlos Sastre, the last Tour de France winner to go on to start the Vuelta a España, believes Chris Froome can win the Spanish race
Only one man has previously started the Vuelta a España having won the Tour de France since the Spanish race moved to the Autumn and although Carlos Sastre couldn't win the second Grand Tour he believes the double is possible.
Chris Froome will become the second maillot jaune winner to line up at the Vuelta when the race rolls out of Puerto Bañus on Saturday and has designs on joining Jacques Anquetil and Bernard Hinault as Tour/Vuelta double winners.
While Sastre could only manage third place in the Vuelta back in 2008, he claims it was down to a lack of support from his CSC team, after a disagreement with manager Bjarne Riis, rather than a too difficult challenge.
"Of course it's very doable," Sastre told Spanish newspaper AS. "You can do two to three big tours with a real chance of winning. I tried it in 2008 but I lacked support to get it.
"I was physically well, and that between Tour and Vuelta I faced a long shift at the Beijing [Olympic] Games."
Cycling Weekly's guide to the Vuelta a España
While Sastre had 33 days of rest between his Tour win and the start of the Vuelta, Froome has had just 26, although the Brit says he is well rested after his French exploits.
Get The Leadout Newsletter
The latest race content, interviews, features, reviews and expert buying guides, direct to your inbox!
Sastre may believe the double is possible, but he isn't backing the Team Sky rider to win the race.
"[Vincenzo] Nibali comes with a good team, and perhaps is the one with more possibilities," he added.
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
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.
-
I’m a fat cyclist; these are the top 3 misconceptions people have about bigger riders and why they’re wrong
After my recent 'We're fat cyclists' reel went viral, I realized I had hit a nerve
By Marley Blonsky Published
-
8 pro mechanic set-up hacks inspired by the Spring Classics
Riding the rough stuff? Glen Whittington, our resident pro mechanic, ramps up speed and comfort with hacks from the cobbled classics
By Glen Whittington 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
-
Ineos Grenadiers say they will work with British Cycling to get Tour of Britain back on ‘as quickly as possible’
Ben Swift and Owain Doull both say it would be a "shame" were the Tour of Britain to be no more
By Adam Becket Published
-
‘We're now the hunter, not the hunted’ - New Ineos Grenadiers CEO commits to reclaiming top spot amongst WorldTour elite
John Allert outlines team’s targets and ambitions for 2024, including regaining Grand Tour dominance of old
By Tom Thewlis Published