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

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.
"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 10 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.
-
-
Former Tour de France yellow jersey wearer to ride Unbound Gravel
Unbound 200 contestants will be joined by a gravel newcomer of note this year. Former Tour de France race leader Jan Bakelants is joining in on the fray.
By Anne-Marije Rook • Published
-
POC Ventral Tempus MIPS Review - A helmet for riding in the rain, and being seen
Bright, light and comfortable, but not cheap
By Tyler Boucher • Published
-
From drawing to Giro d'Italia in 2 months: How SunGod reinvented Geraint Thomas' iconic sunglasses
The glasses, GTs, have been seen on the Welshman's face throughout his impressive Giro d'Italia run
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
-
Tao Geoghegan Hart abandons Giro d'Italia after fracturing hip on stage 11
Ineos Grenadiers rider was sitting in third before falling heavily with 69km to go on Wednesday
By Adam Becket • Published
-
Blow to Ineos's Giro d'Italia as Filippo Ganna forced out with Covid-19
Time-triallist and super-domestique Filippo Ganna has had to leave his home Grand Tour due to a Covid-19 positive
By Jack Elton-Walters • Published
-
Complete Giro d'Italia 2023 start list: Who is still in the Grand Tour three days in?
There has not been one abandonment so far in this year's Giro, here's the complete start list
By Adam Becket • Last updated
-
Back to Africa: Chris Froome on going back to his roots, his future and cycling's new generation
He’s come full circle, but is there time for another loop? We talk to the four-time Tour champ about his and African cycling’s future
By Adam Becket • Published
-
Tao Geoghegan Hart ready for Giro d'Italia after sealing Tour of the Alps victory in Italy
British rider says he will savour his second-ever overall win, before turning his attention towards the fast approaching Italian Grand Tour
By Tom Thewlis • Published
-
‘Just stay calm and relaxed’: Tao Geoghegan Hart one day from second-ever overall victory
Barring major disaster, the Ineos Grenadiers rider will wrap up overall victory at the Tour of the Alps in Brunico on Friday
By Tom Thewlis • Published