Chris Froome 'on track for Tour de France' despite falling short at Critérium du Dauphiné
The Brit feels on track for his Tour de France defence after missing out on a podium spot at the Dauphiné
- (opens in new tab)
- (opens in new tab)
- (opens in new tab)
- Sign up to our newsletter Newsletter

Despite missing out on a podium spot by one second, Chris Froome has said he is "on track" for the Tour de France after a hard week of racing at the Critérium du Dauphiné.
Going into the race as defending champion, Froome took the positives from a performance that saw him slip from second to fourth on the final day.
>>> Analysis: It's advantage Porte, but Chris Froome has reason for optimism as the Tour approaches
"If I’d just been here to defend second place I would have been more conservative. I would have waited for the last climb and just followed Jakob [Fuglsang] and [Fabio] Aru. That wasn’t the plan" he said.
"If I look at where I was a few weeks ago at the Tour de Romandie I seemed to be a long way off the pace. Here I feel as if I’ve got better and better over the week and at least I’m heading in the right direction. I feel as if I’m on track for July.
Watch: Critérium du Dauphiné stage eight highlights
"For us we weren’t here to try and protect second place – we wanted to race for the win. So we put all our cards on the table and I think that’s exactly what we did as a team.
"Even though it didn’t pay off in the end I think we’ve got to be happy with that. I came here looking for a hard week of racing and that’s exactly what I got" he explained after finishing fourth overall and eighth on the stage on Sunday.
After missing out on the day's initial attack, Froome found himself with Porte as their rivals went for glory. The Team Sky man found himself having to rely on his descending skills as he dropped Porte over the top of the Col de la Colombiere. He soon bridged the gap to the front group but only after some considerable effort.
>>> Five things we learned from the Critérium du Dauphiné
"At one point I was close to being in the virtual yellow jersey" he said, "but I think I’d done so much work earlier on to try and set up that situation that when I got to the final climb I didn’t have much left unfortunately" he explained.
Froome can take solace in the fact that he is slowly progressing towards his season's main goal, the Tour de France.
"I only had 19 days of racing before the Dauphiné so I’m really light on racing. Hopefully this will move me on now as well in terms of preparations for July."
Thank you for reading 10 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
-
-
20 year-old sprints to clean sweep at British Track Champs
Emma Finucane wins two titles on the closing day of the championships
By Vern Pitt • Published
-
Marius Mayrhofer pulls off surprise win at Cadel Evans Great Ocean Road Race
DSM rider breaks down with emotion after he crosses the finish line
By Stephen Puddicombe • Published
-
Global backers in talks over new British WorldTour team
Former management of Ribble Weldtite courting interest in new project
By Tom Thewlis • Published
-
'I remember the crowds more than anything': Tom Pidcock recalls his Alpe d'Huez Tour de France stage win
Our male rider of the year, Tom Pidcock, talks us through the highs and lows of his 2022 campaign
By Tom Thewlis • Published
-
Leo Hayter, Cycling Weekly's rising star of 2022, talks through his season in the spotlight
We caught up with the winner of the "Baby Giro" to hear all about the win in Italy and his dream move to Ineos Grenadiers
By Tom Thewlis • Published
-
Ineos Grenadiers release 'visibly fast' 2023 jersey
Navy is replaced with red as British team changes its look
By Adam Becket • Published
-
Where next for Mark Cavendish after B & B Hotels-KTM's collapse?
We look at where the ‘Manx Missile’ could find himself next after the collapse of B & B Hotels-KTM
By Tom Thewlis • Published
-
Chris Froome highlights dangers of long Covid after battle with virus
Four-time Tour de France champion warns of cardiovascular impact and says his VO2 max took a hit after illness
By Tom Thewlis • Published
-
‘It’s a good thing and shows progression of the sport’ - Ben Swift hails changes at British Cycling academy
Ineos Grenadier says putting academy riders in with development teams will encourage development of many skills
By Tom Thewlis • Published
-
'I know I can do it so I need to make that next level': Ben Turner signs Ineos Grenadiers contract extension
The Classics and another Grand Tour are on the agenda for Doncaster's Big Ben
By Chris Marshall-Bell • Published