Froome: Each day is like a Classic in the Tour's opening week
Chris Froome will have a strong set Classics hardened riders around him to help him reacht he mountains after a treacherous first nine days of the Tour de France
![](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/y9TqQ8BJEpKTwhGvkWsYwX-415-80.jpg)
Chris Froome and Wout Poels in action during Stage 7 of the 2015 Criterium du Dauphine
Team Sky's Chris Froome wants to avoid a disaster like the one in the 2014 Tour de France that sent him home in the first week, before the race even reached the high mountains, and will rely on a Classics-strong team with riders like Geraint Thomas.
The first week in the 2015 Tour, starting Saturday in Utrecht, will be "crucial" for him if he wants to continue to fight for a second overall title when the race ends in three weeks in Paris.
The Tour features a flat and potentially windy stage, a finish up the Mur de Huy that the Flèche Wallonne Classic uses annually, cobbles and a team time trial before reaching the first big mountains on stage 10. The only calm day could be when Froome kicks-off the Tour de France in the opening 13.8-kilometre individual time trial.
"That first week is going to be crucial, until we get to the mountains on stage 10," Froome said.
"Each day is like a Classics race in it's own right, like nine one-day Classics, before you get through that you are not even entered in the GC race in that regard."
From Utrecht, the Tour runs down the country's west coast, crosses into Belgium and cuts through France's northwest to reach the Plumelec team time trial. After a transfer to the Pyrenees in the southwest, the race begins the mountain stages.
>>> Your guide to the 2015 Tour de France cobbled stage (video)
Get The Leadout Newsletter
The latest race content, interviews, features, reviews and expert buying guides, direct to your inbox!
Froome, who crashed in the opening kilometres of stage four and twice again in stage five, never made it that far last year and abandoned hopes of defending his 2013 title.
"It just happens in bike racing, someone veered sharply ahead of me, across of my front wheel and took it out. There was nothing I could do. I continued, but that was what ended my race, that's where I fractured my hand," Froome explained.
"The day after I got home, was watching the guys again, I had that burning desire and hunger to get back in. At that point, it seemed so long, so tough to get back, but it feels great to be here now.
“The whole team is buzzing after winning the Dauphiné. It was good for everyone's morale. I feel a lot less pressure on my shoulders, a lot more relaxed this time around."
Sky named their nine-man team with the first week in mind. Along with climbing aces like Wout Poels and Richie Porte, they selected Geraint Thomas, Ian Stannard and Luke Rowe to ride alongside Froome.
The trio helped Sky to their best Classics season to date this spring with Stannard winning Omloop Het Nieuwsblad and Thomas wining E3 Harelbeke.
"We have a strong Classics influence in our Tour de France squad," added Froome. "The team performed well in the Classics this year and will help me get through the first nine days."
The contenders for overall glory at the Tour de France
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.
-
Tadej Pogačar broke 288 Strava KOMs during Tour de France victory
Slovenian won his third Tour title in Nice last weekend, and picked up a host of new trophies on Strava
By Tom Thewlis Published
-
'I'm definitely pushing over 2,500 watts' - Meet the most powerful cyclists in the GB Olympics squad
Move over track sprinters, there are stronger legs in town
By Tom Davidson 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