Geraint Thomas hails Sky's 'strongest Tour de France team'
Geraint Thomas hails Sky's support of Chris Froome during the 2015 Tour de France as one of the team's greatest shows of unity
![](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/sQaKVC5sSDJLfd8s6kWULS-415-80.jpg)
Geraint Thomas on stage seventeen of the 2015 Tour de France (Watson)
Chris Froome's Tour de France victory will come thanks to Team Sky's strength in numbers this year. Compared to his 2013 Tour victory, he could rely on more mountain support from his team-mates to carry him though the race in the leader's yellow jersey.
Froome leads by 1-12 minutes over Colombian Nairo Quintana (Movistar) after a defence on the Alpe d'Huez climb today. Barring any incident, he will win his second Tour title tomorrow on the Champs-Élysées in Paris.
"It was just the team strength, and unity, I think we just had that strength in depth, when someone was on a bad day, there was someone who was always there," Geraint Thomas said when arriving at the Alpe d'Huez ski resort.
>>> Chris Froome sets up overall Tour de France win after thrilling mountain finale
"In 2013, it was mainly just Richie and him, but this year, some days it was me, some days it was Wout [Poels], today was Richie [Porte], and Leo [König] was consistent."
Australian Richie Porte helped keep Froome close after Quintana attacked on the Alpe d'Huez climb. Yesterday to La Toussuire ski resort, Dutchman Poels carried the weight over the final kilometres before Froome rode in pursuit of Quintana.
Froome defended himself over the last two days, but lost part of his cushion to Quintana.
Get The Leadout Newsletter
The latest race content, interviews, features, reviews and expert buying guides, direct to your inbox!
"He was probably feeling it," Thomas added.
"He certainly didn't try to empty the tank yesterday, he tried to just lose as little time without going too deep, he knew how tough today was. Maybe he wasn't quite as strong as he had hoped, but he was definitely strong enough."
>>> Geraint Thomas describes his Tour de France bad day as being like an Ikea nail
Sky bounced back well as a team even if Froome was “feeling it”. Today, Froome had three or two when others like Quintana had only one helper.
Movistar whittled down Sky's defence, leaving just Porte, but Quintana could not ride enough time into them.
"We knew what was coming, it was a bad day yesterday as a team," Team Principal David Brailsford said.
"Today the lads were really geed-up for it and they weren't going to throw that away today. Richie Porte, who has been really ill, bounced back so well and put in a fantastic shift."
Tomorrow, Froome only has to defend over the flat stage from Paris's suburbs into the centre on the Champs-Élysées to win the 2015 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.
-
How to watch the Olympic cycling time trial at Paris 2024
Get all the information you need to watch the action of the men's and women's Olympic cycling time trial at Paris 2024
By Cat Glowinski Published
-
Ribble Cycles looking to capitalise on 'big summer of sport' with 30% off highly-rated models
Direct-to-consumer Ribble Cycles has always been rated highly among the Cycling Weekly tech team. This is our pick of the best Road, Gravel and E-bikes from their 'Summer Sale'
By Matt Ischt-Barnard 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
-
Ill Geraint Thomas battling to remain in Tour de France
The 2018 Tour de France winner is showing mild symptoms of Covid
By Chris Marshall-Bell Published
-
'It was damage limitation': Tom Pidcock, Jai Hindley react to losing time on Tour de France stage two
"There’s going to be minutes in three weeks. 21 seconds doesn't mean anything," says Tom Pidcock after first blows dealt from the favourites in Bologna
By Tom Thewlis 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
-
Geraint Thomas not picked by GB during his final Olympic cycle
Double gold medallist misses out on spot in five-man road team
By Adam Becket 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