Chris Froome: 'My Tour de France rivals probably think I'm weaker than before, but I feel like I'm fresher'
Froome says that the numbers and feeling say he's in good form, even if results have been hard to come by
Chris Froome (Team Sky) walks through the Tour de France headquarters in Düsseldorf, Germany, ready to start a fourth title bid Saturday even if his rivals "potentially" see him a bit weaker than in the previous years.
Froome, for the first time since becoming a Grand Tour challenger, comes into the Tour de France winless so far in the calendar year.
"Potentially," he said when asked if his rivals see him as a weaker Chris Froome.
>>> Tour de France 2017: Who are the bookmakers backing for victory?
Flanked by his eight team-mates and team boss David Brailsford, the 32-year-old Brit warned against being misled.
"If the Dauphiné is anything to go by, Riche Porte is going to be the man to beat.
"Having a victory coming in the Tour de France is always great to have for the morale and confidence, but I can take confidence from having three Tours already."
Get The Leadout Newsletter
The latest race content, interviews, features, reviews and expert buying guides, direct to your inbox!
Watch: Chris Froome on the 2017 Tour de France
Froome wore a white top, the same colour that Sky will wear instead of their usual black jerseys when starting the race Saturday along the Rhine River.
Rumours were that Froome may have lost his hunger for the Tour de France. After winning three, maybe he was content and training a bit less. One journalist said that some saw him going to the beach in Tenerife, something he may have never done during past training blocks.
"I would've loved to have been down at the beach. That maybe was misinformed," continued Froome.
"The hunger hasn't got any less. I'm more focused than ever. I have so much to race for now. A fourth tour title, that's what I'm after. It's massive. I feel the level of my rivals is even higher this year, and on a difficult course as well."
>>> Tour de France route 2017: stages and key climbs
In the Tour's history books, three others have won three titles. Another group of four with Miguel Indurain, Bernard Hinault, Eddy Merckx and Jacques Anquetil went on to win five.
Could Froome be one of those that stops at three and never makes the step beyond? Eyebrows rose when Alberto Contador (Trek-Segafredo) rode a faster time trial in the Critérium du Dauphiné earlier in June. It could be part of Sky’s plan that includes Froome finally winning the Vuelta a España later this summer.
>>> Tour de France 2017 start list
"I feel as if I'm where need to be. The Dauphiné was what I needed to get that extra bit of rhythm. I've been very light on race days, I like to think that means I'm coming in fresher than before. If numbers and feelings are anything to go by, I think I'm going to be ready for the next weeks,” added Froome.
"I felt in the past that in the third week that that's when it gets tough to hang on. We took a similar approach last year with the Olympics and I came close, with the Tour and then the Vuelta and the Olympics in the middle. It's that same sort of thinking."
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.
-
Zwift introduces Racing Score to make platform 'more competitive, fairer and accessible'
Zwift says new ranking system will reflect both fitness level and racing skill
By Tom Thewlis Published
-
Katie Archibald set for racing return at World Championships after freak leg fracture
Scot 'thriving on the bike' having missed Olympics to recover
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