Chris Froome considering staying in motorhome during Tour de France
The Team Sky leader could follow the lead of teammate Richie Porte, who stayed on his own in a motorhome as he lead the British squad on their Giro d'Italia campaign
Team Sky's Chris Froome says there is a 'good chance' he'll sleep in a motorhome during the Tour de France this July to reduce risks that come with hotels.
The move would follow in the footsteps of Sky's Giro d'Italia captain, Richie Porte, and be a first at the Tour where teams traditionally bunk in hotels provided by the organiser.
"We have to wait and see," Froome said, "but there's a good chance."
Sky rented a silver and black Fleetwood Excursion motorhome for the Giro, where Porte acted as a guinea pig for the team’s new experiment. The team hired a driver to take it from one hotel car park to the next where it tethered to water and electricity supplies.
Porte praised the accommodation, calling it a "sanctuary" and Sky Principal David Brailsford underlined its advantages. Instead of dealing with the added stress of changing rooms 21 times during a grand tour, the possibility of bad beds or pillows and dirty rooms, his captain had consistent and controlled conditions.
>>> Inside Richie Porte’s Giro d’Italia motorhome
Brailsford gave example of one night during the Giro where the team had to move the other eight riders because their rooms were above the hotel's main hall, where music played into the late hours for a boy's 18th birthday party. Porte never knew what was going on because he was in his "sanctuary."
Get The Leadout Newsletter
The latest race content, interviews, features, reviews and expert buying guides, direct to your inbox!
"There's definitely a lot to be said for motorhomes," Froome continued. "You can improve recovery and make things a lot more efficient and comfortable for yourself, some hotels that you go into don't have air con and in some the sanitation isn't great.
"It's just about being able to control the factors you can control. As an athlete, sleeping in the same bed every night for three weeks makes a lot of difference compared to being in a different bed every night."
Porte slept alone in his RV during the Giro. Brailsford said it was similar to a captain usually taking a hotel room on his own during a grand tour while the other riders split two each in four rooms. The captain, he said, eats dinner and breakfast, and rides to and from the stage in the bus with his teammates as normal.
Froome indicated that could be different for the Tour de France, where he could share and Sky could have multiple motorhomes.
"Why would everyone be in a hotel? I might be sharing my camper van, maybe, we'll see," he said. "We might all be in camper vans."
With the Tour starting on July 4, in three weeks, Sky has yet to confirm its lodging plans, but it appears to involve wheels.
Highlights of Chris Froome's stage win at the 2015 Critérium du Dauphiné
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.
-
'There's still some room for improvement' - Tadej Pogačar thinks he can get even better in 2025
After winning the Triple Crown of the Giro d'Italia, Tour de France and the World Championships, Pogačar wants more
By Chris Marshall-Bell Published
-
Patrick Lefevere to step down as Soudal Quick-Step boss
Controversial Belgian to be replaced by Jurgen Foré after over 20 years in charge
By Adam Becket Last updated
-
Tom Pidcock to remain 'part of the Pinarello family' after joining Q36.5 Pro Cycling
British star will continue to ride Pinarello bikes after leaving Ineos Grenadiers
By Tom Thewlis Published
-
Ineos Grenadiers hire new head of engineering as reshuffle continues
Former British Cycling lead, Dr Billy Fitton, is the latest of a handful of new appointments within the British squad
By Tom Davidson Published
-
Overachiever: Cameron Wurf competed in the Amstel Gold, La Flèche Wallonne and an Ironman, all in just eight days
Cameron Wurf is both a member of Team Ineos Grenadiers and an accomplished professional long course triathlete who has racked up numerous World Tour and Ironman race finishes across his career.
By Kristin Jenny Published
-
Bullying isn't allowed in other workplaces, professional sport should be no different
Comments about Julian Alaphilippe are just the latest in a long line of examples of bosses in sport going too far
By Tom Thewlis Published
-
‘I feel lucky to be alive’: Magnus Sheffield speaks for the first time about Gino Mäder’s fatal crash
The American describes what he saw at the Tour de Suisse, eight months after the tragedy
By Tom Davidson Published
-
Tom Pidcock: Tour of Britain route 'not really ideal for me'
Brit says he wants to win home stage race, even if the course plays in Wout van Aert's favour
By Tom Davidson Published
-
This 39-year-old INEOS Grenadiers rider moonlights as a pro triathlete
A Jack of all trades, Cameron Wurf is a domestique for INEOS Grenadiers professional cycling team, but doubles as a successful pro triathlete.
By Kristin Jenny Published
-
Ineos Grenadiers' only female rider Pauline Ferrand-Prévot eyes road return
Mountain bike legend could be back in the peloton next year
By Tom Davidson Published