Chris Froome sets sights on Tour de France and Olympic Games glory in 2016
Chris Froome will target both the Tour de France and Olympic Games time trial glory in 2016, and won't rule out the Rio road race as well
Chris Froome won't be content with simply defending his Tour de France title in 2016 - the Brit has his eyes on Olympic glory as well.
Having won a bronze medal in the time trial at the London 2012 Games, Froome is hoping to make the leap to the top step to win gold against the clock in Rio next August.
Froome will have 17 days between the final stage of the Tour de France on July 24 and the Rio time trial on August 10 - almost double the time riders had between the two in 2012.
And with parcours in Rio that will suit his strengths, Froome isn't ruling out having a crack at winning the road race as well as the time trial.
"It's going to be an exciting year, that's for sure," he said in an interview with Sky Sports News. "The main focus for me is going to be the Tour de France again, but just on the back of the Tour de France, we have got the Olympic road race over in Rio, and a few days following that, potentially the Olympic time trial is also on the cards.
"Both the road race and the time trial do suit me very well. The time trial has over 1,000m of climbing in it, so it's going to be a tough time trial. I think it's over 50km, so for an individual time trial, that is a long event.
"Given the road race is over 250km, I think, with close to 5,000m of climbing, that's a tough race - really tough race - and if the form is still good come the end of the Tour de France, hopefully I'll be up for a shot at the road race.
Get The Leadout Newsletter
The latest race content, interviews, features, reviews and expert buying guides, direct to your inbox!
"That's a massive goal to set and I think I'm just going to have to take each event as it comes, but it's exciting. It's really exciting."
Watch the best bits of the 2015 Tour de France
Climbers and puncheurs dominated the test event in Rio held after this year's Tour de France, with Alexis Vuillermoz taking his form from the Tour into the race to take the win.
Froome will be bouyed by the fact that the Frenchman was followed over the line by climbers Serge Pauwels and Romain Bardet, with Thibaut Pinot and Warren Barguil in the top 10.
His Team Sky colleague Ben Swift finished ninth in the race and will also be targeting the event in 2016, ensuring Great Britain have plenty of options in the 250km race.
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
Stuart Clarke is a News Associates trained journalist who has worked for the likes of the British Olympic Associate, British Rowing and the England and Wales Cricket Board, and of course Cycling Weekly. His work at Cycling Weekly has focused upon professional racing, following the World Tour races and its characters.
-
Huge race bike auction means you could own a Tour de France stage winning machine
If you've always hankered after a real WorldTour race machine, now's your chance
By James Shrubsall Published
-
Tom Pidcock to remain 'part of the Pinarello family' after joining Q36.5 Pro Cycling
British star will continue to ride Pinarello bikes after leaving Ineos Grenadiers
By Tom Thewlis Published
-
Tom Pidcock signs for Q36.5 Pro Cycling after Ineos Grenadiers departure
Olympic MTB champion hails 'start of something special' in three-year deal
By Tom Thewlis Published
-
Steve Cummings takes sports director role at Jayco AIUla after Ineos Grenadiers departure
'It’s an opportunity to be part of a culture that celebrates growth, resilience, and meaningful results' says 43-year-old after joining new team
By Tom Thewlis Published
-
'With a few changes, it'll be class' - Josh Tarling optimistic about Ineos Grenadiers future
'Everybody wants to get better and get back to winning,' 20-year-old tells audience at Rouleur Live
By Tom Davidson Published
-
'We've had a difficult year, I've had a difficult year' - Tom Pidcock hints at Ineos Grenadiers tension
Speaking at Rouleur Live, the 25-year-old also revealed that he hasn't enjoyed racing at the last two Tours de France
By Adam Becket Published
-
Ineos Grenadiers to partner with German development team for 2025
Ineos set to partner with German Continental squad Lotto Kern-Haus PSD Bank as an official development partner
By Tom Thewlis Published
-
Where next for Ineos Grenadiers, now Steve Cummings has officially left?
After the Director of Racing's exit, the Tom Pidcock saga needs a final resolution before the team can move forward
By Tom Thewlis Published
-
Ineos' Director of Racing, Steve Cummings, confirms he is leaving the team after not attending a race since June
Announcement comes after months of uncertainty surrounding Cummings' position
By Tom Thewlis Published
-
'I never thought I'd really leave the team': Luke Rowe opens up on his reasons for departing Ineos Grenadiers
Welsh road captain is heading to Decathlon AG2R La Mondiale to become a sports director
By Adam Becket Published