Chris Froome has said that it’s “unlikely” that he will ride the Giro d’Italia in 2017 just days after a raft of the sports greats said this was the time for the Tour de France champion to take on the Italian race.
Froome said the 2017 Giro d'Italia route, which contains more time trialling kilometres than the Tour was “interesting”.
>>> Why Chris Froome won’t jeopardise Tour hopes by riding the Giro
He said: “Given the balance of time trials and big mountain stages, it’s going to be an exciting race, for sure. Whether I’ll be there or not, who knows. I think it’s unlikely given my focus is still going to be the Tour.”
However, the three-time Tour winner appeared lukewarm on the 2017 edition's route. “Now I’ve had a bit of time to digest the Tour de France route a bit more, obviously its very light on time trials, which means the racing will be in the mountains. That said with only three mountain top finishes that leaves very few opportunities for the GC guys to race it out.
“I’m not sure how its all going to pan out, I hope it’ll be an exciting edition but the route makes it look like there will be few big GC battles,” he said.
He added that shorter stages, including the Tours shortest ever full stage at just 100km, wouldn’t necessarily make the race unpredictable.
He said: “The shorter stages your teammates will go further if you break it down more guys to do a shorter distance.
“In my opinion it’s going to be a more controlled Tour route.”
Froome added Sky and him were yet to come up with a programme for 2017 and that his race calendar would be decided in the coming weeks.
His comments follow a host of cycling greats including Felice Gimondi and Francesco Moser calling on Froome to take on the Giro.
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
-
Global backers in talks over new British WorldTour teamFormer management of Ribble Weldtite courting interest in new project
-
'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
-
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
-
Ineos Grenadiers release 'visibly fast' 2023 jersey
Navy is replaced with red as British team changes its look
-
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
-
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
-
‘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
-
'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
