Team Sky expecting usual 'hostile environment' at Tour de France, says Dave Brailsford
The team boss says he doesn't see road side support being any more hostile considering an ongoing investigation by UK Anti-Doping
![](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/73i9di5TT6VbykPfofSN8W-415-80.jpg)
Team Sky principal Dave Brailsford
Team Sky boss David Brailsford says that the hostilities will be the same in the Tour de France regardless of a recent British Cycling report or an ongoing UKAD inquiry into wrongdoings.
>>> Team Sky reveal the eight riders who will support Chris Froome at the Tour de France
Last week, an independent review report of British Cycling found a "culture of fear" during the time Brailsford was performance director. Another UK Anti-Doping inquiry into Team Sky continues after reports of questionable TUEs, a medical package delivery and tramadol abuse.
"We were racing there last week in the Critérium du Dauphiné and there was absolutely no change in the support at the side of the road," Brailsford told Sky Sports.
"When we go to the Tour de France every year, ever since we started, it has been a hostile environment for us as a team to go there and win the race, so I expect no difference in that sense."
Fans jeered and, in some instances, punched and threw urine on Sky's riders in the past. Froome had a cup of urine thrown on him mid-stage to Mende in 2015.
Extra police protected the Sky riders at the stage starts and finishes. Officers in blue, and some reportedly undercover, circled the Sky bus.
Get The Leadout Newsletter
The latest race content, interviews, features, reviews and expert buying guides, direct to your inbox!
Attitudes towards the British super team, winners of four tour titles with Froome and Bradley Wiggins, will not be helped by the investigations at home.
"From an investigation point of view, we will wait for the outcome of that, but I am very confident there is no wrongdoing," Brailsford said of the UKAD investigation.
"As far as the Tour de France goes, we are very focused on the race."
Brailsford's initial reaction to the independent report into allegations of sexism and bullying within British Cycling "was disappointing."
"High-performance sport is a tough environment, there is no doubt about it, but it doesn't mean to say you have to neglect the welfare of athletes in any way," he continued.
"You have got to look at yourself in the mirror and take your own responsibility, and my frame of reference will always be to start with myself and think 'Could I have done anything differently, is there anything I could learn from that, and what can I do going forward to make sure that I get better?'
"There are some lessons to be learned but I am very proud of our time at British Cycling and to see how the sport has grown."
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.
-
A Stars and Stripes jersey and cold hard cash: the 2024 Gravel National Championships to offer a $40,000 prize purse for elite races
The US Gravel National Championships will return to Gering, Nebraska, on September 8
By Anne-Marije Rook Published
-
Tadej Pogačar broke 288 Strava KOMs during Tour de France victory
Slovenian won his third Tour title in Nice last weekend, and picked up a host of new trophies on Strava
By Tom Thewlis 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