Rivals set to test Sky for weakness in first week of Tour de France
Defending champion Chris Froome and his Sky team-mates will be put under pressure from the start, according to their rivals
![](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/kPUcP3T6s9mfLdpRQ97n7R-415-80.jpg)
Chris Froome
Team Sky will face enormous pressure to win their fourth Tour de France title this month, including during the first two stages, say rivals.
Wind is hitting Normandy hard this week with rain mixed in at times. Insiders predict the Tour's peloton will split into echelons already on the first day on Saturday (July 2) as it races from Mont-Saint-Michel to the coast at Utah Beach.
"All of the teams will try to take the advantage of Sky, but that's going to happen in any race when you are the favourite," 2011 winner and BMC global ambassador, Cadel Evans said.
"Sky has a weighted team with climbers, but let's get through the first week. The first week won't be easy, and I get the feeling some teams might have underestimated the difficulties of the first two days here."
Sky's manager David Brailsford said that Geraint Thomas, Ian Stannard, Luke Rowe and Vasil Kiryienka could protect Chris Froome in the intense first days through Normandy. Froome had his Tour cut short in 2014 when he crashed three times in the first week.
"Sometimes it can be a blessing or a curse, they bring a strong line-up with a defending champion," said Tejay van Garderen (BMC Racing), who sat third overall last year in the third week before abandoning with a stomach problem.
"They will have be the ones setting the pace and taking control, and stick their noses in the wind. That will cost them energy. Everything in this Tour points that it'll come down to the third week. When it comes to the third week, will they be burned by then? I don't know.
Get The Leadout Newsletter
The latest race content, interviews, features, reviews and expert buying guides, direct to your inbox!
"Do they have the team to handle it? Yeah, they won three Tours in the last years, so that shown they can handle it, but it's still a big ask. Chris Froome has shown good form in the Dauphiné, but he's shown to be beatable."
Van Garderen also placed fifth overall twice. This year, BMC Racing also counts on former Froome helper Richie Porte. The Australian joined the American WorldTour team after racing four years with Sky, including on all three winning Tour teams with Bradley Wiggins and Froome.
>>> Tour de France 2016: Latest news, reports and info
"It hasn't changed, not really, I don't see Froomey quite as much as before," Porte said. "We are still friends, but on the bike we are rivals. It's no different from him or Nairo Quintana, you still want to beat him.
"I am banging bars now with Luke Rowe, who is also one of my best friends. I don't expect any favours from those guys. But it's too early to get caught up in Team Sky and how Froomey will ride, there are 198 riders in the race. I'm going to just look into this team because it's not a one-dimensional thing, it's not just that guy and trying to read Chris Froome."
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
-
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