Nicolas Roche is happy to play helper to Chris Froome at the Tour de France
Former Tinkoff-Saxo rider Nicolas Roche, 30, is likely to be an integral part of Team Sky and Chris Froome's Tour de France team in July

New Team Sky signing Nicolas Roche says he would be fulfilling a dream if he were to help Chris Froome to Tour de France glory in July.
The Irishman joins the British team from Tinkoff-Saxo, where he helped Alberto Contador to fifth-place in the 2013 Tour.
A solid Grand Tour prospect himself – having finished in the top-10 of the Vuelta a España twice – the 30-year-old admits he is more than happy to play the support role to Froome.
“It has always been my dream to ride down the Champs Elysees with the yellow jersey in the team, that would be a brilliant success,” Roche told Press Association.
“My priority is to be at the top of the Tour and give my maximum to support to Chris.
“That's something I agreed on when I joined, it's something I wanted and I'm very happy to do that.”
Froome told Cycling Weekly recently that his whole season is tailored around the Tour de France, but rebuffed the notion that he was heading into the race as favourite.
Thank you for reading 5 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
Stuart Clarke is a News Associates trained journalist who has worked for the likes of the British Olympic Associate, British Rowing and the England and Wales Cricket Board, and of course Cycling Weekly. His work at Cycling Weekly has focused upon professional racing, following the World Tour races and its characters.
-
-
Here are all the riders and staff that have been fined in the Tour de France 2022 so far
Riders and their directeur sportifs can be fined for anything from littering to reckless behaviour
By Adam Becket • Published
-
Tech of the Month July: Shimano 105 12-speed Di2 and bikes of the Tour de France
We ask if 105 is still the groupset of the people and take a look at the bikes – released and unreleased – that look set to be ridden at the tour
By Stefan Abram • Published
-
'I had proper fever and chills' - Adam Yates bounces back from Covid for Tour de France
British rider heads to fifth Tour de France as one of Ineos Grenadiers' leader, but with doubts over form
By Adam Becket • Published
-
'I’m just going to try and enjoy myself' — Geraint Thomas readies himself for his 12th Tour de France
Ineos Grenadiers are targeting the yellow jersey with Thomas, Adam Yates and Dani Martínez
By Adam Becket • Published
-
'Dismiss Geraint Thomas at your peril' — Bradley Wiggins sees Welshman as Tour de France 'underdog'
Ineos Grenadiers rider will head to Tour off the back of Tour de Suisse win
By Adam Becket • Published
-
Covid threatens to disrupt Tour de France line-up
Virus sweeps through the peloton at key preparation races with Tour de Suisse race leader Vlasov forced to abandon
By Tom Thewlis • Published
-
Adam Yates out of Tour de Suisse with covid
Brit returns a positive test for coronavirus but the rest of Ineos Grenadiers will race on in Switzerland.
By Tom Thewlis • Published
-
Can anyone stop the Jumbo juggernaut? Five talking points from the Critérium du Dauphiné
Wout van Aert and Primož Roglič are the best at the French race, but the Tour de France is another level up
By Adam Becket • Published
-
Filippo Ganna storms to time trial victory on stage four of the Critérium du Dauphiné
Wout van Aert second on stage yet again, Belgian remains in yellow jersey with increased lead
By Adam Becket • Published
-
Second at the Giro d'Italia an unwanted birthday present for Richard Carapaz
Ineos Grenadiers leader all but certain to finish as runner-up after tumultuous penultimate day
By Adam Becket • Published