'It was great to have that feeling': Chris Froome enjoying being back on time trial form at the Tour de France
Froome looked much stronger in the opening time of Tour de France than he has done in previous races against the clock this season
- (opens in new tab)
- (opens in new tab)
- (opens in new tab)
- Sign up to our newsletter Newsletter

Chris Froome (Sky) recognises that his time trial riding this year was below normal standards but says that it was great to have the good feelings back again in Saturday's opening Tour de France stage in Düsseldorf.
Sky team-mate Geraint Thomas won the 14-kilometre stage on the rain-soaked roads. Froome clocked a time 12 seconds slower for sixth, but went faster than all of his classification rivals.
>>> Five talking points from stage one of Tour de France 2017
"I went really cautiously around a lot of those corners, I really went in with the mentality of not to take risks," Froome said.
"Seeing is how a lot of guys hit the deck today, it wasn't worth it, but on the strait bits I felt was able to push quite hard.
"It was great to have that feeling especially given that my time trailing this year hasn't been up to my normal standards. But we can take a lot away from that as a team to have four guys in the top-10. It shows the strength of the team we have here."
Former time trial world champion Vasil Kiryienka placed third and Michal Kwiatkowski finished eighth.
Froome's concerns were validated when he saw Nairo Quintana's team-mate Alejandro Valverde crash. He failed to finish the race and with injuries, will have surgery in Düsseldorf before travelling home.
"I think if you told me at the beginning of today that this is what the GC would look like after the stage," continued Froome, "I would've definitely accepted that that and been happy to take that."
Froome's closest GC rival is Simon Yates (Orica-Scott) at 25 seconds. Richie Porte (BMC Racing) placed 35 seconds back.
Nairo Quintana (Movistar) came in 37 seconds slower. The rest, including Alberto Contador (Trek-Segafredo), Romain Bardet (Ag2r La Mondiale), Dan Martin (Quick-Step) and Fabio Aru (Astana) navigated Düsseldorf's streets slower, but all finished within seven seconds of Porte's time.
Some questioned Froome's form given in the Critérium du Dauphiné time trial of 23.5 kilometres, he lost 37 seconds to stage winner Porte and finished behind Contador, who he normally beats.
The result boosts his mood, especially considering his long-time helper Thomas succeed. The Welshman helped Froome to his first three Tour titles in 2013, 2015 and 2016.
"I'm just absolutely so happy for G to have won his first stage in the Tour de France and to be in the yellow jersey as well. It's just incredible," added Froome.
"I can remember my first time and it's such a special moment. I think it's something G will remember for the rest of his life.
"For us going forward as a team, it's going to lift everyone's morale for the next few days. It's going to mean we are going to have to be on the front protecting that yellow jersey, and it's not a bad place to be given all the road furniture, cross-winds and potential of rain as well.
"We have the team to ride on the front, so I'm looking forward to these next few days."
The Tour de France enters Belgium on stage two to Liège and its home country with stage three to Longwy, a small uphill finish.
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
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.
-
-
20 year-old sprints to clean sweep at British Track Champs
Emma Finucane wins two titles on the closing day of the championships
By Vern Pitt • Published
-
Marius Mayrhofer pulls off surprise win at Cadel Evans Great Ocean Road Race
DSM rider breaks down with emotion after he crosses the finish line
By Stephen Puddicombe • 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
-
Chris Froome highlights dangers of long Covid after battle with virus
Four-time Tour de France champion warns of cardiovascular impact and says his VO2 max took a hit after illness
By Tom Thewlis • Published
-
‘It’s a good thing and shows progression of the sport’ - Ben Swift hails changes at British Cycling academy
Ineos Grenadier says putting academy riders in with development teams will encourage development of many skills
By Tom Thewlis • Published
-
'I know I can do it so I need to make that next level': Ben Turner signs Ineos Grenadiers contract extension
The Classics and another Grand Tour are on the agenda for Doncaster's Big Ben
By Chris Marshall-Bell • Published