Chris Froome: Tour de France will be my main target in 2015
Team Sky's 2013 Tour de France winner Chris Froome says that the race will be his priority for the 2015 season, not the Giro d'Italia
- (opens in new tab)
- (opens in new tab)
- (opens in new tab)
- Sign up to our newsletter Newsletter

Chris Froome has confirmed that the 2015 Tour de France will be his main priority for the season, and will kick off his 2015 campaign at the Ruta del Sol in February.
Froome had previously said that he may target the Giro d'Italia and Vuelta a Espana in 2015, saying that the Giro represented a 'big opportunity', but it now appears that the Tour is once again at the very top of his agenda.
"Together with the team, we’ve had to prioritise some events over others, but the Tour will remain my main focus for 2015," Froome said via a team statement.
"The concept of doing all three Grand Tours in a season has got appeal but having said that, I know how hard it is to do two Grand Tours while targeting the overall win. At this point in my career I feel that the Tour takes priority. There may come a time at some point down the line where other races may take preference, but for 2015, it’s the Tour."
Froome's Tour de France title defence in 2014 ended in disaster after a series of crashes forced him out of the race with fractures in his wrist and hand. Italian rival Vincenzo Nibali (Astana) went on to take his first Tour win. Froome then returned to take on the Vuelta a Espana, but lost out to fellow Tour crashee, Alberto Contador (Tinkoff-Saxo).
Froome had aired doubts about the suitability of the 2015 Tour route as it features little in the way of time trial kilometres and a hefty amount of climbing. The Giro route features 76.8km of time trials, compared to the Tour's 42. Both races feature a similar number of mountain tests, but the Giro's poor weather is not something that suits Froome.
"There is no doubt that this Tour de France is going to be a tough test, but I enjoy the challenge and there’s no reason why I would be any worse off than any of the other contenders," said Froome. "It is our responsibility as a team to adapt accordingly so that we can be as competitive as possible there."
Kenyan-born Froome is currently back in South Africa, taking advantage of the fine weather to start his training for the 2015 season. He hinted that he will have to tailor his physiology, alter his training and lose weight to take on his Tour rivals in the mountains.
“It’s a climbers' Tour next year so I’m going to have to work extra hard in the mountains and spend less time on practicing time trialling. It’s also going to be important to be as light as possible, so our nutrition will play a key role."
If the Tour goes wrong, then Froome can still take a shot at the Vuelta in September - a race that includes a long, flat time trial and has been "made for Froome" according to the race organiser.
Froome's switch in interest from the Giro to the Tour also fits in with Sky bike sponsor Fausto Pinarello's recent comment that Bradley Wiggins may ride in the 2015 Giro as his final Grand Tour.
Before the 2015 season kicks in, Froome will travel to Tasmania to link up with Sky team-mate Richie Porte to take part in the Stan Siejka Launceston Cycling Classic over December 6-7.
Chris Froome looking to the future after 2014 troubles
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
Nigel Wynn worked as associate editor on CyclingWeekly.com, he worked almost single-handedly on the Cycling Weekly website in its early days. His passion for cycling, his writing and his creativity, as well as his hard work and dedication, were the original driving force behind the website’s success. Without him, CyclingWeekly.com would certainly not exist on the size and scale that it enjoys today. Nigel sadly passed away, following a brave battle with a cancer-related illness, in 2018. He was a highly valued colleague, and more importantly, n exceptional person to work with - his presence is sorely missed.
-
-
Homemade goodness: try these four energy bar recipes - from cookie dough protein balls to apple crumble bars
Tired of choking back qualms about mass-market energy food, Tom Couzens cracked out the oats and created an entire recipe book of homemade alternatives
By Tom Couzens • Published
-
Gravel races near you: a guide to the 2023 gravel season
Looking to get graveling? We've got you covered with events around the globe
By Anne-Marije Rook • Published
-
Tom Pidcock: 'It won’t be difficult to beat my 2022 Classics results'
Ineos Grenadiers' multi-format star ready for central role in one-day racing this Spring
By Adam Becket • Published
-
No Egan Bernal at Paris-Nice as knee injury disrupts season
Former Tour de France champion "OK" but return is unknown at the moment
By Adam Becket • Published
-
'Rough day' for Chris Froome after crash and punctures kill best chance of victory since 2018
The 37-year-old was up the road in a solo move for over 50km at the Tour du Rwanda on Thursday
By Adam Becket • 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