Chris Froome: 'I don’t need the reassurance of winning. I’ve got the reassurance of three Tour victories'
Team Sky leader says his confidence will remain high whatever his results
![](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/Yq6jxqcUSPzVHMkPXYkdde-415-80.jpg)
Chris Froome and Steve Cummings on stage 21 of the 2016 Tour de France
With the Tour de Romandie starting today, Team Sky's Chris Froome said that he is not worried by his lack of victories so far this season.
Froome is yet to record a win so far this year, making 2017 the first year since his breakthrough season in 2012 that he has failed to cross the line first by this point in the season.
However the 31-year-old says that his confidence has not been affected by the lack of wins like it would have been in the past.
>>> Tour de Romandie 2017 start list
"Personally I don’t need that reassurance [of winning] quite like I did in the past," Froome explained.
"I’ve got the reassurance of three Tour victories now to tell me that I’m able to do it again, so I don’t feel the pressure to go out in the early season and perform at that level."
Watch: Chris Froome - how I won the 2016 Tour de France
Get The Leadout Newsletter
The latest race content, interviews, features, reviews and expert buying guides, direct to your inbox!
Froome took second place on two stages at the Volta a Catalunya and will be hoping to perform well in what isn't the strongest field in Romandie, but stuck to previewing the parcours rather than making predictions ahead of the race.
"I feel good, I feel comfortable with where I’m at at this time in the season. I had a good training camp with the some of the Giro guys up in Tenerife and we’ll be going back up to Tenerife after this race. As normal everything with me is focused on being ready for the Tour.
"This year the Tour de Romandie isn’t quite as mountainous as it has been in previous editions, so maybe we’ll see a different kind of winner. I can’t see a direct correlation between Romandie and the Tour de France, but for me it’s always been a crucial stepping stone on my way to winning the Tour.
>>> Tour de Romandie 2017 TV guide
"Both Saturday and Sunday will be the most decisive stages. Saturday looks like the most challenging stage on paper, I think.
"The time trial on Sunday isn’t too long, 18km, but whoever is in the leader’s jersey after Saturday will have to be able to do a good time trial to be able to defend the jersey. Seconds can be won or lost there."
Froome will be one of the first riders off the start ramp in today's prologue, starting at 14.07 UK time for the 4.7km prologue time trial in Aigle.
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
Henry Robertshaw began his time at Cycling Weekly working with the tech team, writing reviews, buying guides and appearing in videos advising on how to dress for the seasons. He later moved over to the news team, where his work focused on the professional peloton as well as legislation and provision for cycling. He's since moved his career in a new direction, with a role at the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs.
-
How to watch the Olympic cycling time trial at Paris 2024
Get all the information you need to watch the action of the men's and women's Olympic cycling time trial at Paris 2024
By Cat Glowinski Published
-
Ribble Cycles looking to capitalise on 'big summer of sport' with 30% off highly-rated models
Direct-to-consumer Ribble Cycles has always been rated highly among the Cycling Weekly tech team. This is our pick of the best Road, Gravel and E-bikes from their 'Summer Sale'
By Matt Ischt-Barnard Published
-
It's time to stop expecting so much of Ineos Grenadiers at the Tour de France
The British team are always under pressure to match their past best, but it’s not going to happen anytime soon
By Adam Becket Published
-
Tom Pidcock says Ineos Grenadiers will be 'better' at the Tour de France without Steve Cummings
Netflix series depicted tension between the DS and rider, dynamic sources told Cycling Weekly carries a degree of accuracy
By Tom Thewlis Published
-
Tom Pidcock 'dreaming' of taking yellow jersey on opening weekend of Tour de France
British rider hopes to play starring role in Italian Grand Départ
By Tom Thewlis Published
-
'I think I'll get the opportunity to go for a stage' - Geraint Thomas relishing support role at Tour de France
Former yellow jersey winner says this year's race "could be my last"
By Tom Davidson Published
-
Carlos Rodríguez to lead Ineos Grenadiers at Tour de France, supported by Geraint Thomas and Tom Pidcock
British squad will aim to "race aggressively and disrupt" at the French Grand Tour
By Adam Becket Published
-
Chris Froome misses out on Tour de France selection
39-year-old absent from Israel-Premier Tech's eight-rider roster
By Tom Davidson Published
-
21 things you didn't know about Tom Pidcock
According to the man himself, he's never had a hangover. It's alright for some.
By Tom Thewlis Published
-
Tom Pidcock adds extra mountain bike race to schedule, one week before Tour de France
Pidcock confirms he will race World Cup event in Crans Montana, Switzerland ahead of Olympic title defence
By Tom Thewlis Published