'Don't expect miracles, Chris Froome will win the 2017 Tour de France'
Fellow riders and team managers at the Tour say Chris Froome is surely set for a fourth yellow jersey in Paris on Sunday
![](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/GSZXpCwPHSozqGj2nGo4yC-415-80.jpg)
Chris Froome on the Col d'Izoard at the Tour de France 2017 (ASO/Pauline Ballet)
Do not expect a miracle rival performance over the next two days, say insiders, Chris Froome will win the 2017 Tour de France on Sunday in Paris.
Froome leads the Tour with 23 seconds on Romain Bardet (Ag2r La Mondiale) and 29 seconds on Rigoberto Urán (Cannondale-Drapac) after stage 18's Col d'Izoard summit finish.
>>> Cannondale-Drapac boss: ‘Uran and Bardet would have to be phenomenally lucky to turn it around’
The only real test remains the 22.5-kilometre time trial in Marseille on Saturday.
"You can't pull off miracles, especially when you have these rivals," Astana team manager Giuseppe Martinelli told Cycling Weekly.
"I've been saying since the first day that he's the strongest rider, so it's going to be [Froome victory]."
A victory would mark number four for the 32-year-old Kenyan-born Brit. However, this is his narrowest advantage yet coming into the final days.
Get The Leadout Newsletter
The latest race content, interviews, features, reviews and expert buying guides, direct to your inbox!
Daniel Martin (Quick-Step Floors), who sits sixth overall, said: "I'd expect Chris to at least take one minute out of those guys in the time trial, no disrespect to those other guys, but he did nearly that in Düsseldorf. He'll be confident against those guys"
"I think he has enough time, he's the best in the time trial," said Sky team-mate Mikel Landa, who sits fourth overall. "It's not so much time, we'd be happier with more, but he's the favourite to win this Tour."
Sky sports director Nicolas Portal arrived in the white team car at the bus midway down the back side of the Izoard.
He had to use the bathroom after a long day in the car, but quickly and confidently remarked on the Marseille time trial and chances of a Paris party.
"Obviously it's not won, but it's better to be in yellow before the time trial," Portal explained.
"There's no room for a mistake or any bad luck. Clearly it's not over, but the hard stages in the mountains are now done. In theory he's a better time trial rider in than the others, but it's a tiny gap."
The favourites do sometimes fail to prevail in the final time trial.
Australian Cadel Evans looked ready to win the 2008 Tour given he was the best time triallist of the contenders, but he could not close the 1-34-minute gap to yellow jersey Carlos Sastre over 53 kilometres.
“And Urán is not a bad time triallist,” Serge Pauwels (Dimension Data) said.
“Remember when Sastre was in yellow in 2008, everyone thought Cadel Evans would win the Tour de France. It's looking good for Chris, but the pressure is on him."
"With this distance, anything can happen in a time trial," Trek-Segafredo sports director, Steven De Jongh said.
"I wouldn't be at ease behind him in the team car. He had two mechanicals earlier in this Tour. When you go at the limit in the time trial, there's always a risk, but the same as the other guys.
"But I hope a mechanical won't make the difference in this Tour."
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.
-
Cofidis leaps to defend its Look bikes in the wake of Guillaume Martin comments
The French WorldTour team says the machines are cutting edge and reiterates trust in wheel sponsor too
By James Shrubsall Published
-
Italian pro hospitalised after being hit by truck driver
Matteo Moschetti was rushed to hospital in Milan after incident during training
By Tom Thewlis Published
-
It's time to stop expecting so much of Ineos Grenadiers at the Tour de France
The British team are always under pressure to match their past best, but it’s not going to happen anytime soon
By Adam Becket Published
-
Tom Pidcock says Ineos Grenadiers will be 'better' at the Tour de France without Steve Cummings
Netflix series depicted tension between the DS and rider, dynamic sources told Cycling Weekly carries a degree of accuracy
By Tom Thewlis Published
-
Tom Pidcock 'dreaming' of taking yellow jersey on opening weekend of Tour de France
British rider hopes to play starring role in Italian Grand Départ
By Tom Thewlis Published
-
'I think I'll get the opportunity to go for a stage' - Geraint Thomas relishing support role at Tour de France
Former yellow jersey winner says this year's race "could be my last"
By Tom Davidson Published
-
Carlos Rodríguez to lead Ineos Grenadiers at Tour de France, supported by Geraint Thomas and Tom Pidcock
British squad will aim to "race aggressively and disrupt" at the French Grand Tour
By Adam Becket 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
-
21 things you didn't know about Tom Pidcock
According to the man himself, he's never had a hangover. It's alright for some.
By Tom Thewlis Published
-
Tom Pidcock adds extra mountain bike race to schedule, one week before Tour de France
Pidcock confirms he will race World Cup event in Crans Montana, Switzerland ahead of Olympic title defence
By Tom Thewlis Published