Team Sky domestiques enjoy 'easiest week in a Grand Tour ever' ahead of first mountain stages
Team Sky riders are ready to defend yellow to Paris after having a trouble free first week of racing at the Tour de France
Team Sky may be trying to become the first team since 1970 to hold the yellow jersey from the beginning to the end of a Tour de France, but the team's domestiques are unconcerned by the task ahead of them after having enjoyed an easy first week.
"For us it's been the easiest start to a Grand Tour in, well, ever," was Luke Rowe's assessment ahead Friday's seventh stage from Troyes to Nuits-Saint-Georges.
"We haven’t had to do anything in the first week. We haven’t had to control the jersey and if we lose the jersey in the coming days, we’re genuinely not that concerned as long as it’s not to a GC rival. If it’s to a breakaway then that’s fine."
While Rowe will be charged with looking after Chris Froome's yellow jersey on flat stages and early in mountain stages, Geraint Thomas, who currently sits second on GC, will be expected to be one of his team leaders key domestiques late into mountain stages.
With the sprinters teams having taken responsibility for controlling the race on the flat stages, and BMC Racing having worked on the front to bring the breakaway back for the summit finish to La Planche des Belle Filles, Thomas has also enjoyed an easy race so far.
"I haven’t had to work on the front yet! It’s worked out fine so far. We’re trying to race smart and not to do too much," Thomas said.
He also said that he didn't expect BMC Racing to work quite as much on the front in the weekend's mountain stages as they did on the road to La Planche des Belle Filles.
Get The Leadout Newsletter
The latest race content, interviews, features, reviews and expert buying guides, direct to your inbox!
"I don’t think they will [use the same tactics again]," Thomas continued. "Because we weren’t too bothered about bringing that break back they might not be too keen to give us a hand now."
Despite the easy start to the race, the team are still prepared for attacks on the mountain stages to Station des Rousses and Champery on Saturday and Sunday.
"We're staying focused and preparing for the worst," said Michal Kwiatkowski, who led Froome and Thomas through the first couple of kilometres of stage five's summit finish and said that he is "mentally prepared" for more hard work in the mountains to come.
"The morale is great and there’s optimism in the team. We were ready to take the jersey from the first stage and now the yellow jersey is with Chris we’re ready to defend it to Paris."
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
Henry Robertshaw began his time at Cycling Weekly working with the tech team, writing reviews, buying guides and appearing in videos advising on how to dress for the seasons. He later moved over to the news team, where his work focused on the professional peloton as well as legislation and provision for cycling. He's since moved his career in a new direction, with a role at the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs.
-
Introducing the start-up that helps cyclists find local mechanics and get a 'better service'
'We want to support the majority of the smaller, independent chains that are out there,' says Bikebook founder
By Tom Davidson Published
-
What pressure are you running? Three different pressure monitoring systems, put to the test
Real-time pressure sensors allow you to test your own tire pressures to go faster, be more comfortable, and get fewer flats
By Tyler Boucher Published
-
Giro d'Italia 2024 start list: Geraint Thomas to lead 'aggressive' Ineos Grenadiers
All the teams and riders for the 107th Giro d'Italia
By Adam Becket Published
-
'It was time to change': No regrets for Rod Ellingworth after leaving Ineos Grenadiers
New Tour of Britain race director says he is still on good terms with Dave Brailsford after resigning from team last year
By Tom Thewlis Published
-
'I’m just here to enjoy it': Tom Pidcock on his surprise Paris-Roubaix appearance
British rider was a late addition to the Ineos Grenadiers team for the race across the pavé
By Tom Thewlis Published
-
The art of peaking with Geraint Thomas: 'It’s easy to take for granted that 9 times out of 10 I hit my goals'
The Welshman also calls for better governance in the sport to help it grow further
By Chris Marshall-Bell Published
-
Ineos Grenadiers’ 500th victory was claimed by a woman; why do they still not have a team?
The British squad is one of the richest in cycling - but Ineos still won’t stump up for a women’s team
By Adam Becket Published
-
'This is so much more than a number': Six of the best Ineos Grenadiers wins as team claims 500th race victory
Pauline Ferrand-Prévot took the 500th team win at the weekend
By Tom Thewlis Published
-
Tom Pidcock 'wouldn’t be surprised' to see attacks before the Poggio at Milan-San Remo
British rider will lead the line for Ineos Grenadiers alongside Filippo Ganna
By Tom Thewlis Published
-
Ineos Grenadiers delighted with Egan Bernal’s late cameo on stage one of Paris-Nice
Colombian snapped up key bonus seconds in the general classification battle on run in to Les Mureaux
By Tom Thewlis Published