Chris Froome on Vuelta a Espana: 'I did everything I could'
Chris Froome reflects on his second place at the 2014 Vuelta a Espana, and looks ahead to next year's Tour de France
Sky's Chris Froome ended the Vuelta a España second overall on Sunday in the country's northwest with a better understanding of his rival and race winner, Alberto Contador (Tinkoff-Saxo).
"I have no regret at all on how the race unfolded," the Brit said in a Vuelta press release.
"I did everything I could. I raced to the best of ability. As a team, we really pushed together. I don't think any of us has any regret. Alberto [Contador] was really impressive in this Vuelta. If I've learned anything about racing against him, it's to not let him get any time because I might never get that time back."
Despite the two being the current best Grand Tour riders, they have rarely gone head to head in one of the three big stage races. Spain’s Contador tested positive for a banned drug in the 2010 Tour de France and served a suspension at the time Froome emerged. He finished fourth at the 2013 Tour when Froome won, but experts say that he was still not at his best after sitting out a two-year ban.
This year, the Tour de France readied itself for a battle royale that never happened. Froome – with fractured bones in his left wrist and right hand – abandoned on July 9 and Contador – with a fractured right tibia – left five days later on July 14. Italian Vincenzo Nibali (Astana) won the race on July 27.
Both cyclists went without racing while they recovered for the Vuelta's start on August 23 in the country's south and both said that they would test the waters, not saying that they would aim for the overall title. Instead, after the first mountain stages and 36.7-kilometre time trial passed, 29-year-old Froome and 31-year-old Contador became the red jersey favourites.
Froome, however, conceded seconds in the time trial and in the two major mountain stages. He was the closest to Contador when the race ended yesterday evening in Santiago de Compostela, but still one minute and 10 seconds off.
Get The Leadout Newsletter
The latest race content, interviews, features, reviews and expert buying guides, direct to your inbox!
"I lost time to Contador in time trialling but it's not a source of concern. I know how I came into this race. I definitely rode myself in. The Vuelta had a really high standard this year, I'm happy to have been part of it," Froome explained.
"I definitely owe this result to my team-mates. They've been behind me, they've supported me throughout the race, even when I had a few bad days earlier on in the race and I think that paid off. I was able to come away with the second place which, given how I came in, I can be happy with that."
Froome ended his 2014 season yesterday, which included six wins, at the Vuelta and explained that he is already thinking about his next Grand Tour. "I definitely look forward to see the new Tour de France route."
Alberto Contador wins 2014 Vuelta a Espana
Overall favourites ride final time trial cautiously in wet conditions; Adriano Malori wins stage
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.
-
Advantage Mathieu van der Poel and Lotte Kopecky at the Tour of Flanders
All the information you need ahead of the biggest Belgian Classic of the year
By James Shrubsall Published
-
Major bike retailer posts profits despite 'downward trend' in cycling industry
Tredz records £1.4m profit after parent company Halfords issues warning
By Tom Davidson 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