Chris Froome (Sky) said that he will skip all the one-day classics from Milan-San Remo to Liège-Bastogne-Liège to prepare for the Tour de France.
He had planned on racing Milan-San Remo with Bradley Wiggins but changed his mind after reports this weekend that the organiser will have to skip the Pompeiana climb.
“I don’t think I’ll be doing San Remo. I think the new climb has been taken out and I think then it’s not quite 100% a climbers’ race like it would have been. I’m pretty sure I won’t be there.”
Froome arrived in Muscat yesterday for the Tour of Oman, which starts today and runs through February 23. He heard the reports about Milan-San Remo's change in direction.
Over the weekend, the Imperia provincial government said that it would not allow Milan-San Remo to use Pompeiana climb.
It explained that the descent, with potholes and damaged guard rails, presents too many dangers. Recent heavy rains worsened the problem, causing a landslide and forcing authorities to close the SP51 road.
"We can't authorise the race to pass this road," Michele Russo, director of roads and transport for the Imperia province, told Cycling Weekly.
"There are big problems when you go to descend past Castellero. Also, due to a quarry there, the road is really worn. Absolutely, a race caravan of that size can't pass."
Organiser RCS Sport told Cycling Weekly that it is controlling the situation but it appears it will have to steer the race on its traditional course to San Remo, over the Cipressa and the Poggio. In that case, it suits sprinters and attackers but not climbers like Froome.
Froome said that his programme "does not include any one-day races before the Tour de France." Instead, he will compete in stage races from the Tour of Oman to the Tour de France. After Oman, he travels to Italy for Tirreno-Adriatico, Spain for the Volta a Catalunya and France for the Critérium du Dauphiné. He skips the two-day Critérium International, which he won last year.
He ruled out racing cobbled-classics Tour of Flanders or Paris-Roubaix to prepare for the Tour de France. This year's fifth stage, from Ypres to Arenberg, covers nine cobbled sectors from Paris-Roubaix.
“I personally would prefer to not take the risk in racing on the cobbles,” he said. “I’ve done Paris Roubaix before so I know what to expect, but I would at least like to ride and train on the cobbles in preparation for that cobbled stage in the Tour.”
Last season, Froome flew in at the last minute to race Liège-Bastogne-Liège. It was his first spring classic since 2010.
“Liege-Bastogne-Liege is always a race I’d love to do well at,” he added. “It’s at a really good time of the season for in the sense that it is in part of the build-up to the Tour and I should be going well at that point already.
“Last year I had really bad luck with mechanical problems at the wrong moments in the race. One day races are always going to be that gamble but it is something I would really like to try and do.”
Related links
Thank you for reading 5 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
-
-
Inside the first Global Bike Festival: Road, gravel and mountain biking come together in the Austrian Alps
Cycling Weekly was there to find out why hundreds of people travelled to Austria with their bikes for a weekend
-
Should cyclists be worried about skin damage? All you need to know about protecting yourself from harmful rays
As high summer approaches, promising long hours of sun-drenched cycling, here’s what you need to know about the dangers posed by the sun and how to reduce the risk
-
Ineos set to launch new Kenyan cycling academy with Eliud Kipchoge - the first man to run a marathon under two hours
The multinational chemicals company will work in partnership with Ineos Grenadiers and Eliud Kipchoge
-
After injuries that meant he had to learn to walk again, Froome says fans need to manage expectations
The Israel-Premier Tech rider is cycling pain-free for the first time since his 2019 crash at the Critérium du Dauphiné, something he says people should remember
-
Chris Froome eager to lose weight after 'baptism of fire' at Coppi e Bartali
The Briton admitted he was 2kg overweight after the Italian race, while confirming he will race the Tour of the Alps
-
Chris Froome confirmed to race Tour of the Alps
Organisers announced the Briton's involvement for just his second race of 2022
-
Have you heard the one about why Australian track riders dye their hair blonde? Ineos Grenadiers's Luke Plapp reveals all as he seeks world track and road glory
The Ineos Grenadiers youngster is expected to be one of the peloton's strongest time triallists in the ensuing seasons
-
Tom Pidcock and Geraint Thomas to make season debuts at Volta ao Algarve
David Gaudu, Remco Evenepoel and Tobias Foss will also race in Portugal from tomorrow
-
Mark Cavendish frustrated on final Tour of Oman stage as Jan Hirt wins overall
Sprinter boxed out on stage six finish, as Fernando Gaviria triumphs
-
Mark Cavendish loses green jersey and fined at Tour of Oman ahead of stage six
Quick-Step Alpha Vinyl penalised by race jury for being pushed back to peloton by car
