Chris Froome casts doubt over Giro d'Italia 2017 ride
The three-time Tour de France winner says that it is 'unlikely' that he'll ride the 100th Giro
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.
Get The Leadout Newsletter
The latest race content, interviews, features, reviews and expert buying guides, direct to your inbox!
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 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
Having trained as a journalist at Cardiff University I spent eight years working as a business journalist covering everything from social care, to construction to the legal profession and riding my bike at the weekends and evenings. When a friend told me Cycling Weekly was looking for a news editor, I didn't give myself much chance of landing the role, but I did and joined the publication in 2016. Since then I've covered Tours de France, World Championships, hour records, spring classics and races in the Middle East. On top of that, since becoming features editor in 2017 I've also been lucky enough to get myself sent to ride my bike for magazine pieces in Portugal and across the UK. They've all been fun but I have an enduring passion for covering the national track championships. It might not be the most glamorous but it's got a real community feeling to it.
-
Collapsed lung, concussion and multiple fractures: Fundraiser set up for first ever Tour de France Féminin winner following crash
Marianne Martin crashed earlier in October and is looking to raise $20,000 to help her get back on her feet
By Adam Becket Published
-
Gravel riders - get ready, set, register! A guide to 2025's biggest gravel events and key registration dates
Here are the registration dates for gravel’s biggest events around the globe
By Anne-Marije Rook Published
-
'I can help get the team back to where it was' - 20-year-old Artem Shmidt looks to the future after Ineos Grenadiers' disappointing season
Shmidt hoping to help revitalise team backed by Jim Ratcliffe after season of woes and as star rider Tom Pidcock gets set to move on
By Tom Thewlis Published
-
'I don’t think the people around Tom help' - Geraint Thomas on the Tom Pidcock and Ineos Grenadiers situation
Pidcock was "deselected" from Il Lombardia on Saturday, with the rider taking to Instagram to discuss decision
By Tom Thewlis Published
-
Tom Pidcock 'deselected' from Ineos Grenadiers squad for Il Lombardia
British rider says 'I guess off season starts early' in Instagram post
By Tom Davidson Published
-
Ineos Grenadiers have had their worst season ever, and the woes appear not to be over. What’s next for the super-team of a bygone era?
With Tom Pidcock possibly off to Q36.5 and Luke Rowe leaving, the news is not quiet around the British WorldTour squad
By Adam Becket Published
-
Remco Evenepoel puts transfer speculation to bed ahead of World Championships road race
'I'll stay where I am' says Double Olympic champion as he confirms he will remain at Soudal Quick-Step next season
By Tom Thewlis Published
-
'You can't sugarcoat it' - Luke Rowe says Ineos Grenadiers are 'underperforming'
British squad's experienced road captain believes his team has been "overtaken" by others
By Tom Davidson Published
-
Steve Cummings replaced by Tom Pidcock's coach in Tour of Britain management team shake-up at Ineos Grenadiers
Cummings was on the provisional start list submitted to the race organiser, but was replaced by Kurt Bogaerts
By Tom Thewlis Published
-
Dan Bigham becomes Head of Engineering at Red Bull-Bora Hansgrohe after leaving Ineos Grenadiers
After winning a silver medal at the Paris Olympics, Bigham then left his role at Ineos due to his frustrations with the setup currently in place at the team
By Tom Thewlis Published