How the 2017 Tour de France was won
It was a close fought race all the way to the final time trial, but where did Chris Froome really make the difference to win the Tour de France?
The 2017 Tour de France’s close classification battle makes it difficult to understand where Chris Froome (Sky) made the winning master stroke.
>>> How good was the 2017 Tour de France? Riders and sports directors have their say
Froome, who gained 25 seconds on Rigoberto Urán (Cannondale-Drapac) in the 22.5-kilometre time trial in Marseille on Saturday, dealt small blows to his rivals instead of a decisive one.
"I think all this started in the opening time trial in Düsseldorf," Jim Ochowicz, manager for team BMC Racing told Cycling Weekly.
"We lost two classification contenders on the first day, Alejandro Valverde and Ion Izagirre, others lost time due to the weather. And those that survived disappeared later with [Jakob] Fuglsang and [Geraint] Thomas crashing."
Ochowicz’s star rider Richie Porte abandoned due to stage nine crash to Chambéry. The Tasmanian had begun the Tour as the favourite to take on Froome.
"The first time trial that Chris did [was the key point] because coming out of the Dauphiné, everyone had written him off," Sky boss David Brailsford said.
Get The Leadout Newsletter
The latest race content, interviews, features, reviews and expert buying guides, direct to your inbox!
"Richie was the favourite coming in and people thought it wasn't going to happen for Chris, but we got such a confidence boost, the whole team, by putting four in the top-10. That was critical, a real confirmation that he was good."
Team Sky's Geraint Thomas won the opening 14-kilometre time trial and carried the yellow jersey for four days.
Froome placed sixth and made a dent in the classification, putting 51 seconds into Urán who eventually finished second in Paris.
"It seems that the riders stick closer together on the big climbs then they did in the other years,” Ochowicz continued.
“The Tour was won and lost everyday in fights. You couldn't guarantee anything. Even on the stage to Rodez, when you thought you wouldn't see changes in the GC."
"The surprising thing was a day to Rodez, when we didn't expect the GC guys to lose time but yet some of them did," Dimension Data's performance director, Rolf Aldag explained.
"The day before, they were fighting like crazy to gain a second of two and then on a smaller uphill finish, they lose nearly half a minute."
Fabio Aru (Astana) gained time with his stage five win to La Planche des Belles Filles. Froome lost time in the Peyragudes summit finish, but gained most of it back in a seemingly insignificant small uphill finish to Rodez.
"The time trials are always decisive, but if you see how close everything was," Quick-Step Floors sports director, Tom Steels said.
“It was just days of gains and losses, and everything came down to the final time trial.
"I thought there was never a deciding day in the Alps. We just saw the small time changes here and there. The top three in the GC never made a mistake but they never made a big difference."
"The descent finishes didn't really make a difference," continued Aldag. "Bardet tried an attack to Chambéry but then was brought back right at the line. It was a super open Tour de France."
The tightly knit classification battle, the closest in 50 years, began to unravel. Aru cracked in the Alps and three – Froome, Urán and Bardet – remained within 29 seconds. Froome, however, widened the gaps in the Marseille and Bardet crumbled.
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.
-
The Oura ring reviewed: is this wellness tracker helpful to cyclists?
With its focus on recovery and wellness, the Oura ring offers unique insights but is it worth the investment over other wearables?
By Anne-Marije Rook Published
-
Shimano RC703 road shoe review: sleek, stiff and robust
Shimano's second-tier offering combines a rigid carbon sole with handy Boa dials and protective toe caps
By Sam Gupta 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