Chris Froome looking to the future after 2014 troubles
Team Sky rider hoping to be competing to his best again, as he begins preparation for the 2015 season, and doesn't rule out riding the Tour de France
Having spent the off-season riding the odd criterium, jetting off to south Asia and to top it all off, getting married to fiancee Michelle Cound last week, Chris Froome is keen to get going with his preparation for the 2015 season.
“I went over to India for a bit and to the Himalayas,” he told the Team Sky website about his downtime.
“It was something quite different and I really enjoyed it. After any season I think it’s important to reset and re-calibrate. I’m actually really hungry to start training again and keen to get back going.”
The British rider's 2014 season was potentially the most trying of his career, as crashes blighted and eventually ended his main goal of the season: the defence of his Tour de France title.
Still, Froome holds the opening stages in Yorkshire and London as the high point of his turbulent year, as despite the disappointment having to withdraw from the Tour, he says it was a "massive and incredible experience" for him.
“I think the biggest point of the year for me were the first few stages of the Tour," he said.
"Starting up there in Yorkshire was something I’ll never forget. Coming in as the previous winner and having that home support was huge. "
Get The Leadout Newsletter
The latest race content, interviews, features, reviews and expert buying guides, direct to your inbox!
The 29-year-old's attention was immediately drawn to the Vuelta a España after his Tour disappointment, and despite dominant performances in races like the Tour de Romandie earlier in the year, his ride in the Vuelta was personally the most pleasing for him.
"In terms of performance and satisfaction, I think the Vuelta was definitely the one. It left me with the best feeling," he said.
The Tour was a disappointment but I’ve still got a few victories I can be happy about this year.
"Also finishing the Vuelta off in such a decent way, after having all the setbacks – that for me was probably more important than anything else. It means I’ll be able to go forward into next year without starting from a negative position. I can go in with a clean slate and give it my best shot.”
And with next year in mind, Froome has been enigmatic about the races he'll target, calling the Giro a "big opportunity" while saying that riding the Tour would require "careful consideration."
Most of all though, the Kenyan-born Sky rider just wants to be 'in the mix' with the other GC contenders at the front of the headline races in 2015.
“Looking to next year, my key goal is just returning to good condition and being at the front of a race again,” Froome said.
“That’s a really big motivation for me. Whether it’s the Tour or any other race, it’s what I love doing. I love racing and being able to compete at the front – to be with a team of guys who you enjoy being with, and who you work together well with.
"That’s what gets me through the winter when I’m riding those long hours on my own.”
More Chris Froome stories
Froome can recapture top form next year, says Mikel Nieve
Mikel Nieve has said that he believes Chris Froome will hit top form in 2015, while personally he is happy
Chris Froome: 'Next year's Giro d'Italia is a big opportunity'
Chris Froome reiterates that the route of the 2015 Giro d'Italia would suit him more than the Tour de France,
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).
-
Tweets of the week: Brutal weather at Flèche, an idiot sandwich and is there a new POC helmet?
There's a lot of love for Kasia Niewiadoma, and it turns out Norwegians are good in bad weather
By Adam Becket Published
-
Juanpe López wins Tour of the Alps, does 34 kick-ups with a football
'My coach said to do it for Betis,' says Spaniard of his boyhood football club
By Tom Davidson 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