Chris Froome: 'I actually enjoy these long Tour de France days'
The defending champion said he enjoyed a relaxing day in the sunshine on a relatively uneventful stage six of the Tour de France
- (opens in new tab)
- (opens in new tab)
- (opens in new tab)
- Sign up to our newsletter Newsletter

Tour de France race leader and Team Sky captain Chris Froome says that he "enjoys the long days" of 200-plus kilometres suited to the sprinters.
A parasol blowing into the road ahead of the favourites and a sprint win by Marcel Kittel (Quick-Step Floors) highlighted the hot and sticky 216-kilometre stage six into the Champagne territory of Troyes.
>>> Marcel Kittel ‘won’t chase green jersey at all costs’ after Peter Sagan disqualification
"I think they are part of a Grand Tour, I have no issue with them," Froome said. "You might get a same result if you have a 50-kilometre shorter stage with a sprint at the end.
"I'm not complaining, I actually enjoy these long days. Being a bit more relaxed, you get a little bit more time to speak with the riders than if the race is full-on and time to take in the atmosphere.
"And on that, there's been a great ambiance on the road so far."
The Tour rolled east from Vesoul on mostly flat roads into Champagne land. An escape fought for the stage win, but most believed that a sprint would settle the day and attention turned to the final 20 kilometres.
"It was a great stage for us climbers, these stages don't come along often. This is one of the most relaxed stages we've ever done in the Tour de France," Froome said.
"For us, getting the breakaway right is important so we don't have that much work to do behind. On sprint days like today, we can defend and let the sprint teams do the lion’s share of the work.
"For us, it's about staying out of trouble. It was very enjoyable. You can just relax a little bit more. It was very welcome."
After a classification battle on stage five, nothing happened between yellow jersey Froome and his rivals today. So quiet was the day, questions centred on a parasol that drifted into the road mid-way through the stage.
"It did just pop up from nowhere. There was a little gust of wind at that point, I think it blew from a spectator in the road," Froome added.
"It's quite scary, you just racing a long and one moment there's a parasol. That's the nature of the Tour, things do happen at a drop of a hat, you have to be ready for everything."
Critics argued recently that shorter stages make for better racing and television. Fans were treated to a show last year when Froome, Alberto Contador and Nairo Quintana battled for the entire 100 kilometres to Formigal in the Vuelta a España.
A similar stage in the Critérium du Dauphiné in June had viewers on the edge of their seats.
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
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.
-
-
UCI introduces mandatory sticky labels for time trial and pursuit bikes
New downloadable labels will need to be visible on the top tubes of bikes in all UCI-sanctioned TT and pursuit events
By Simon Smythe • Published
-
In celebration of Peter Sagan, cycling's rock and roll frontman
As the three-time world champion is set to call time on his career in the WorldTour at the end of 2023, we thought we would take a look back
By Tom Thewlis • Published
-
Global backers in talks over new British WorldTour team
Former management of Ribble Weldtite courting interest in new project
By Tom Thewlis • Published
-
'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
By Tom Thewlis • Published
-
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
By Tom Thewlis • Published
-
Ineos Grenadiers release 'visibly fast' 2023 jersey
Navy is replaced with red as British team changes its look
By Adam Becket • Published
-
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
By Tom Thewlis • Published
-
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
By Tom Thewlis • Published
-
‘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
By Tom Thewlis • Published
-
'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
By Chris Marshall-Bell • Published