Chris Froome on Vuelta a Espana: 'I did everything I could'
Chris Froome reflects on his second place at the 2014 Vuelta a Espana, and looks ahead to next year's Tour de France
![](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/KewyHaD944EQrkpkLzmVQj-415-80.jpg)
Chris Froome and Fabio Aru on stage eighteen of the 2014 Tour of Spain
Sky's Chris Froome ended the Vuelta a España second overall on Sunday in the country's northwest with a better understanding of his rival and race winner, Alberto Contador (Tinkoff-Saxo).
"I have no regret at all on how the race unfolded," the Brit said in a Vuelta press release.
"I did everything I could. I raced to the best of ability. As a team, we really pushed together. I don't think any of us has any regret. Alberto [Contador] was really impressive in this Vuelta. If I've learned anything about racing against him, it's to not let him get any time because I might never get that time back."
Despite the two being the current best Grand Tour riders, they have rarely gone head to head in one of the three big stage races. Spain’s Contador tested positive for a banned drug in the 2010 Tour de France and served a suspension at the time Froome emerged. He finished fourth at the 2013 Tour when Froome won, but experts say that he was still not at his best after sitting out a two-year ban.
This year, the Tour de France readied itself for a battle royale that never happened. Froome – with fractured bones in his left wrist and right hand – abandoned on July 9 and Contador – with a fractured right tibia – left five days later on July 14. Italian Vincenzo Nibali (Astana) won the race on July 27.
Both cyclists went without racing while they recovered for the Vuelta's start on August 23 in the country's south and both said that they would test the waters, not saying that they would aim for the overall title. Instead, after the first mountain stages and 36.7-kilometre time trial passed, 29-year-old Froome and 31-year-old Contador became the red jersey favourites.
Froome, however, conceded seconds in the time trial and in the two major mountain stages. He was the closest to Contador when the race ended yesterday evening in Santiago de Compostela, but still one minute and 10 seconds off.
Get The Leadout Newsletter
The latest race content, interviews, features, reviews and expert buying guides, direct to your inbox!
"I lost time to Contador in time trialling but it's not a source of concern. I know how I came into this race. I definitely rode myself in. The Vuelta had a really high standard this year, I'm happy to have been part of it," Froome explained.
"I definitely owe this result to my team-mates. They've been behind me, they've supported me throughout the race, even when I had a few bad days earlier on in the race and I think that paid off. I was able to come away with the second place which, given how I came in, I can be happy with that."
Froome ended his 2014 season yesterday, which included six wins, at the Vuelta and explained that he is already thinking about his next Grand Tour. "I definitely look forward to see the new Tour de France route."
Alberto Contador wins 2014 Vuelta a Espana
Overall favourites ride final time trial cautiously in wet conditions; Adriano Malori wins stage
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.
-
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
-
Chris Froome misses out on Tour de France selection
39-year-old absent from Israel-Premier Tech's eight-rider roster
By Tom Davidson 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