Team Sky: 'We always want more'
Although Chris Froome now sits minutes rather than seconds ahead of his closest rivals in the Tour de France, Team Sky still want to gain more time
- (opens in new tab)
- (opens in new tab)
- (opens in new tab)
- Sign up to our newsletter Newsletter

Chris Froome moved further into the yellow jersey lead today when the Tour de France covered its first time trial in Provence today, but Team Sky wants more time than it already has to be safe.
Froome moved from a 28-second lead over Adam Yates (Orica-BikeExchange) to a 1-47-minute lead over Bauke Mollema (Trek-Segafredo) in today's 37.5-kilometre time trial to La Caverne Du Pont-d'Arc.
"It's big on the paper," Sports Director Nicolas Portal said. "For sure it's big, but we are never happy. We always want more."
>>> Five talking points from Tour de France stage 13
Prior to today, Froome gained time via baby steps: 23 seconds with a downhill attack off the Peyresourde, 12 seconds on the wind-ravaged roads to Montpellier and 19 seconds on the climb up Mont Ventoux.
Tom Dumoulin (Giant-Alpecin) won on Friday, but Froome placed second and rode 2-05 minutes into top pre-Tour rival Nairo Quintana (Movistar). Quintana finished second to Froome in 2013 and 2015, but this year, looks like he might not do so. His attacks yesterday on Mont Ventoux appeared softer than usual and his time trial today did not help.
Instead of the Colombian, Sky's immediate worry turns to Dutchman Bauke Mollema. Mollema, though sixth in the 2013 Tour behind Froome, never seriously challenged for the overall until now. Today, he only lost 51 seconds to Froome.
"I was thinking that with the crash of yesterday could cost him, it was small and sometimes with high-level athletes you can pay," Portal said of Froome.
"Two minutes into Nairo Quintana and Alejandro Valverde is great. Mollema is pretty good because he was super strong yesterday on Mont Ventoux. He's the closest, he's showing strong and stronger. He's one of the guys we are going to look at now, more than before. We don't rule out anyone."
>>> Tour de France 2016: Latest news, reports and info
Mollema sat second overall in 2013, but after stage 16 suffered when he fell sick and placed sixth. He explained Sky already has a big enough advantage over him with the Alps ahead in the coming eight stages.
"The gap with Froome is still very big," Mollema said. "I should be able to keep my podium, I'm older and more experienced and with good team support. But no, I can't win the Tour."
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.
-
-
British champion Cameron Mason hoping for rain at Cyclo-cross World Championships
British national champion says patience will be the key in what’s expected to be a fast race in Hoogerheide, the Netherlands
By Tom Thewlis • Published
-
Volta Valenciana 2023: Simone Velasco wins from the breakaway on stage three
Italian capitalises on hesitation amongst the chasers to win the sprint from a reduced breakaway
By Tom Thewlis • 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