Brailsford: 'Froome doesn't want to come second again, it's all in for the win'
Having finished second overall at the Vuelta a España twice before, Chris Froome is going all out to win it this year
Team Sky boss David Brailsford says that Chris Froome, winner of Wednesday's Peña Cabarga stage, does not want to finish second overall again in the Vuelta a España and that he is confident he can beat Nairo Quintana (Movistar).
Froome marked Quintana's attack in the final kilometre of the Peña Cabarga climb this afternoon and on his second acceleration, rode ahead to the stage victory with Quintana on his wheel.
"Chris is now confident he can beat him," Brailsford said while waiting for his star to arrive at the team bus. "Yeah, Chris doesn't want to come second here again. It's all in for the win."
Quintana maintained the red leader's jersey by 54 seconds on Froome. His Movistar team-mate Alejandro Valverde is in third at 1-05 minutes and Esteban Chaves (Orica-BikeExchange) sits fourth at 2-34.
Froome has won the Tour de France three times already, so he has experience leading a Grand Tour. He also has experience just missing out in the Vuelta, twice finishing second in 2011 and in 2014.
"From experience, when you're leading and you have a 54-second lead, it feels like nothing and when you're chasing that 54 second lead, it seems like quite a lot. It's funny what it does to you mentally," Brailsford added. "Whenever you're leading a Grand Tour you always think that the gap was never big enough and you are never quite comfortable. Nairo doesn't have that comfort factor."
Sky won the opening team time trial, but since then Froome has appeared to suffer on some mountain stages while Quintana gained momentum. The stage win on Wednesday, should boost Froome's confidence with a week and a half to race.
Get The Leadout Newsletter
The latest race content, interviews, features, reviews and expert buying guides, direct to your inbox!
"It lifts his morale and the team's morale,” said Brailsford. “It gives you that extra bit of energy for the next few days, everything's just a bit rosier and everybody just feels better. In Chris's mind, he doesn't think [Quintana is] unbeatable."
Froome returned to the place where his Grand Tour star was born on stage 11. In 2011, he dislodged Juan José Cobo to win the Peña Cabarga stage by one second – his first professional and Grand Tour win. It marked him as a future star. Cobo held on to the overall by a slim 13-second lead over Froome and Sky team-mate Bradley Wiggins in third.
"You can never measure the psychological component really, but for sure it was a climb that Chris remembered well. Even when we looked at how we raced it before and he saw himself winning, that was a very positive thing," Brailsford said.
"Tim [Kerrison] and I were chatting about yesterday when we were out on our bikes. It's funny how life goes and what happens and the routes that people take. You think, I wonder what would have happened if X or Y had never happened.
"When Chris first came here he was riding for Bradley, who probably wouldn't have been riding here had he not broke his collarbone [in the Tour]. And the way Bradley smoothed that all was fantastic and I think Chris learned a big lesson there."
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.
-
Rapha launches new chamois cream scented with 'aromas of Ventoux'
Brand promises 'cool carriage' riding with a whiff of lavender
By Tom Davidson Published
-
A year-long bike ride changed my life: 11 transformative journeys by bike
Having experienced her own epiphany by bike, Isobel Duxfield went in search of more inspirational stories of pedal power
By Isobel Duxfield Published
-
Steve Cummings takes sports director role at Jayco AIUla after Ineos Grenadiers departure
'It’s an opportunity to be part of a culture that celebrates growth, resilience, and meaningful results' says 43-year-old after joining new team
By Tom Thewlis Published
-
'With a few changes, it'll be class' - Josh Tarling optimistic about Ineos Grenadiers future
'Everybody wants to get better and get back to winning,' 20-year-old tells audience at Rouleur Live
By Tom Davidson Published
-
'We've had a difficult year, I've had a difficult year' - Tom Pidcock hints at Ineos Grenadiers tension
Speaking at Rouleur Live, the 25-year-old also revealed that he hasn't enjoyed racing at the last two Tours de France
By Adam Becket Published
-
Ineos Grenadiers to partner with German development team for 2025
Ineos set to partner with German Continental squad Lotto Kern-Haus PSD Bank as an official development partner
By Tom Thewlis Published
-
Where next for Ineos Grenadiers, now Steve Cummings has officially left?
After the Director of Racing's exit, the Tom Pidcock saga needs a final resolution before the team can move forward
By Tom Thewlis Published
-
Ineos' Director of Racing, Steve Cummings, confirms he is leaving the team after not attending a race since June
Announcement comes after months of uncertainty surrounding Cummings' position
By Tom Thewlis Published
-
'I never thought I'd really leave the team': Luke Rowe opens up on his reasons for departing Ineos Grenadiers
Welsh road captain is heading to Decathlon AG2R La Mondiale to become a sports director
By Adam Becket Published
-
Ineos Grenadiers announce 'highly motivated, hungry and ambitious' new performance structure for 2025
New sports directors, lead performance coach and head of performance support announced, among other changes
By Adam Becket Published