No Giro d'Italia start fee for Froome: that would 'create problems with other riders'
Giro d'Italia director Mauro Vegni says that he 'flatly denies' handing Chris Froome a fee to start the 2018 race
The Giro d'Italia organiser says that it will not pay Chris Froome (Sky) a start fee to race in 2018, despite insiders indicating otherwise.
Froome announced on Wednesday he will race the Italian Grand Tour in an attempt to continue his winning streak after the Vuelta a España and Tour de France this summer.
"We spoke to Froome and Team Sky but only about the sporting aspects," cycling director of the organiser RCS Sport, Mauro Vegni said.
"There was never a relationship based on economics. It was about motivation.
"A start fee for Froome? No. I flatly deny that."
>>> Comment: If anyone can win the Giro d’Italia/Tour de France double, it’s Chris Froome
Insiders previously told Cycling Weekly that Froome will be paid a start fee. The race begins in Jerusalem on May 4 and finishes outside the Rome Colosseum on May 27.
Get The Leadout Newsletter
The latest race content, interviews, features, reviews and expert buying guides, direct to your inbox!
One insider suggested he will be paid €2 million. The local Israeli organiser is expected to pick up the tab, paying roughly €10 million to RCS Sport for the hosting rights and Froome's fee.
Such deals are not uncommon. RCS Sport said it made a deal with Lance Armstrong in 2009, when Angelo Zomegnan presided, where it paid around $1 million to his Livestrong charity. Other smaller deals are believed to have happened over the years with Alberto Contador, Nairo Quintana and Vincenzo Nibali.
"Suggestions like that [with Froome] create problems for us with other riders," Vegni said. "Imagine if another rider comes to me and says, 'You gave Froome something, so what about me?'
"I always deal with the teams. I've not personally spoken to Chris Froome, I've only spoken to team boss Dave Brailsford."
Froome would be the third cyclist after Bernard Hinault and Eddy Merckx to win three Grand Tours in a row if he pulls off the Giro victory in May. From there, he would also attempt to win his fifth Tour title in July.
>>> Tom Dumoulin: ‘Froome won’t sway my Giro or Tour decision’
"Froome's coming because he's motivated," Vegni continued.
"I think it's important for the Giro d'Italia and for Froome that he's decided to ride. It's great for the race and will give it even more international attention. It's also good for Froome because he can try to win all three Grand Tours, one after another.
"I think that is the real reason why he decided to ride. I've read some other ideas, but I'd like to know where they get them from."
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
Gregor Brown is an experienced cycling journalist, based in Florence, Italy. He has covered races all over the world for over a decade - following the Giro, Tour de France, and every major race since 2006. His love of cycling began with freestyle and BMX, before the 1998 Tour de France led him to a deep appreciation of the road racing season.
-
We rode and reviewed the Ouray, Parlee Cycles' first new bike model since facing bankruptcy
The storied American brand continues with a Portugal-made carbon steed that goes zoom but doesn’t fit like a race bike
By Tyler Boucher Published
-
Forget distance covered, these are the key stats to note in your Strava Year in Sport
We asked a coach how to best analyse our end of year Strava data
By Tom Davidson 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
-
A complete history of Ineos Grenadiers kits, from Adidas to Gobik, via Rapha
The British team switch to Gobik in 2024 after two years with Bioracer
By Tom Thewlis Published
-
Chris Froome's boss rubbishes claims bike fit is behind lack of results
'He can talk about his bike position until the cows come home - that's still not going to earn him a position on a Grand Tour team' says Israel-Premier Tech team owner Sylvan Adams
By Tom Thewlis Published
-
Chris Froome, rim brake evangelist, 'warms to' disc brakes
The Israel-Premier Tech rider, also an investor at Factor Bikes, says that he has "way less problems" with discs these days
By Adam Becket Published
-
Is Chris Froome - in 2023 - a professional cyclist, or an influencer?
The seven-time Grand Tour winner hasn't raced since July, but has taken to being interesting on social media
By Adam Becket Published
-
Chris Froome 'absolutely not' worth multi-million euro salary says his team boss
The four-time Tour de France winner was not selected for this year's Tour de France for performance reasons, Israel-Premier Tech boss Sylvan Adams says
By Chris Marshall-Bell Published
-
Chris Froome not selected for Tour de France 2023
38-year-old misses out on 'ultimate goal' as Israel-Premier Tech confirm eight-man squad
By Tom Davidson Published
-
Back to Africa: Chris Froome on going back to his roots, his future and cycling's new generation
He’s come full circle, but is there time for another loop? We talk to the four-time Tour champ about his and African cycling’s future
By Adam Becket Published