PAU (procycling.no): Through windy Zeeland, herded across the cobbles of Flanders and always well positioned on the steep slopes in Wallonia and Brittany – Chris Froome sits comfortably in the yellow jersey after nine hectic stages in Tour de France.
– Chris is with made. He is aggressive and ready to win. But he is more mature. He learned after the victory in 2013 and the crashes last year, says Dave Brailsford, manager host Team Sky.
This is a dream position Team Sky Captain really had not contemplated as a realistic possibility in advance. Especially considering opening blunder last year where he rolled out after five stages.
Now began the real mountains with leg to La Pierre Saint Martin Tuesday. The white Kenyan in pole position and put pressure on the others.
– Much of last year was to weighed on my back before this race. Opening days were the main concern for us. It was all about not losing time. But now we have already taken the time on the other and we have yellow jersey. This is a dream scenario for the moment, says Froom on rest day in Pau.
Compared with last year seems Sky team strengthened in terms of strong ROULEUR that go well in the spring classics. Luke Rowe and Ian Stannard has come in, and together with the more experienced Geraint Thomas done an excellent job of keeping Froom assured through a rich and spectacular åpningsuke.
– I have to thank the team. It has taken me all the way safely. It has been paving, side wind and rain. A series of one-day classics. We can not be in a better position right now. Now we need the other attack, not us, says Froom – while he drinks from a thermos (presumably spinach smoothie).
Froom åpningsuke is very different from last year. The same applies Vincenzo Nibali who has not met the expectation. Most would have thought that the Astana rider would take earn valuable seconds and possibly minutes on stage four to Cambrai and other difficult-classic stages. But the Italian has lost time steadily every day and is now 2? 22 ?? Froom behind.
Alberto Contador (Saxo Tinkoff-) are still shooting distance, 1? 03 ?? behind. Nairo Quintana (Movistar) As expected, lost time and is scant two minutes behind. Tejay Van Garderen is located closest to the Froom, only 12 small seconds behind the leader.
– It is not impossible to turn it yet, we have not got to the mountains. Nairo will probably try to pick up time. It is important to have good start considering the morale of the team. If you are one of the big and losing time every day, it must be quite negative and bad for morale.
– Confident Vincenzo would take time rivals in the first week. While with Nairo foventer man that he should take time in the mountains. He is the one I have to fit most of the future, more than Nibali, says Froom – without having forgotten Giro d? Italia winner Alberto Contador.
– Alberto is definitive one that bicycles other’s weaknesses. He waits until you are exposed and exploit it to the fullest. One can not escape him if unleashed. One must give him the respect he deserves, says the man in yellow.
Parkeingsproblemer
Team Sky had a desire that Froom would enjoy their days in Tour de France in a motorhome. But a rule change by the UCI last month put a stop to it. Froom, like the rest of the riders in the race, are forced to sleep on hotels organizer makes available.
Team Sky has nevertheless brought with him an impressive number of vehicles. Outside hotels Pau could count 15 vehicles – either regular cars or larger trailers.
Faced with French L? Equipe and Dutch De Telegraaf has teams Europcar and LottoNL-Jumbo has criticized Sky. They believe the team will take too much space, stealing parking spaces, making it hard for other teams to operate normally. In Pau responds Sky boss Dave Brailsford on criticism.
– I think it’s strange. They come to me and say hello, and pretend nothing has happened. After the complaints they in the press.
– Lotto arrived same time as us in the hotel and all agreed on where to park. Everyone was happy. And then reads in the newspaper that they are dissatisfied. It becomes difficult to work with people. Such I have not much respect for. I do not smile in the face of people and complaints about them in the press afterwards, says Brailsford – pointing out that Europcar was the first team to bring a kitchen trailer in the Tour de France.
This article is delivered by bike website procyclin.no!
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