Team Sky enjoy ‘proper racing’ and ‘having fun’ as they look to take yellow jersey off Fabio Aru
Dave Brailsford relishes the challenge facing his team at Tour de France
![](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/xKMndXjrwUQjcbRLsaRHfZ-415-80.jpg)
Team Sky’s principal Dave Brailsford admits the squad has enjoyed not having the yellow jersey at the Tour de France as trying to win it back feels a “little bit more fun”.
Chris Froome lost the Tour’s race lead to Fabio Aru (Astana) on stage 12, and went into Friday’s stage in second place overall, six seconds behind the Italian.
Although Froome relinquished the maillot jaune to Tony Martin for two days in the 2015 Tour, this is the first time the Briton has lost the yellow jersey during the Tour to another general classification contender. So far during his career, Froome has worn the yellow jersey for 50 days.
However, stage 13’s short but mountainous 101km parcours from Saint Girons to Foix proved ideal for aggressive racing with Froome’s Sky squad the key instigators on the day.
Mikel Landa was sent up the road in an early breakaway and was eventually joined by Alberto Contador (Trek-Segafredo) and Nairo Quintana (Movistar). He finished 1-46 ahead of Froome and the other GC rivals to move up to fifth overall and give Sky a clear two-rider attack for the final week.
“If you gave us the yellow jersey back I think we’d figure it out, but at the minute it feels like a bit more fun to win it back,” Brailsford told reporters after the stage.
Get The Leadout Newsletter
The latest race content, interviews, features, reviews and expert buying guides, direct to your inbox!
“It’s more enjoyable. We’ve been at this race for so long where all we do is defend, defend, defend, defend. The reason people love cycling and love Grand Tours is because of the suspense of it all and it’s the ‘what’s going to happen’ and the tactical options.
“I think it’s nice to be in the situation where we’re playing out and doing what attracted us all to the sport in the first place.
“It’s nice to race, and I think everybody at heart who loves this sport has got to be a racer and every now and again you’ve got to race. It feels like this is proper racing and it’s fun, it’s exciting. I’m really enjoying it.”
Watch: Tour de France stage 13 highlights
Just 1-09 now separate the top five riders overall – Aru, Froome, Romain Bardet, Rigoberto Uran and Landa - with the final two major mountain stages coming next week in the Alps.
Sky’s directeur sportif Servais Knaven believes the aggressive racing seen in the Pyrenees will continue into the final week, with such small time gaps separating everyone.
“I think everyone will be really aggressive next week because it’s all so close together. If you take the top five, maybe top six, probably all of them think they can win the Tour,” he said.
“It depends how many guts they have, maybe there are also some guys who want to play for sure to be on the podium – so you don’t know. And now with Chris having his off day yesterday [stage 12] maybe more guys think they can win the Tour.
“It’s going to be really interesting next week.”
>>> Five talking points from stage 13 of the Tour de France
Knaven also said Nairo Quintana (Movistar), who escaped in the breakaway with Landa and gained time at the finish, should still be considered a contender for the victory having now moved up to eighth overall.
“He’s always a danger rider, and he’s always good in the final week. He’s for sure one rider to watch for.”
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
-
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
-
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
-
5 things we learned from the first week of the 2024 Giro d’Italia
The Italian Grand Tour is firmly underway and Tadej Pogačar is in the pink jersey. Here are our takeaways from the first week of action
By Tom Thewlis Published