This is the last article you can read this month
You can read more article this month
You can read more articles this month
Sorry your limit is up for this month
Reset on:
Please help support the Morning Star by subscribing here
CHRIS FROOME has admitted he remains unsure of his form going into the Vuelta a Espana, suggesting he could end his time with the Ineos Grenadiers in a support role over the next three weeks.
More than a year on from his career-threatening crash at the Criterium du Dauphine in June 2019, the 35-year-old will line up for the final race of his 11-year stay with Dave Brailsford’s team prepared to back teammate Richard Carapaz if he cannot contend himself.
“It’s quite hard to say where I am at the moment, I haven’t done many stage races recently,” said Froome, a two-time Vuelta winner.
“The signs in training have been better and better and I’m feeling more like my old self again which is fantastic, but it’s hard to quantify that.
“I haven’t been able to race and see where I’m at against my rivals. I’m going take the first few days to see exactly where I’m at from that point and I’ll be able to have a clear plan for the rest of the race and know exactly what job I can fulfil at that point.”
It has taken a herculean effort from Froome to overcome the multiple broken bones he suffered 16 months ago, but the shake-up of the calendar amid the pandemic has not helped him get back into his rhythm.
Two months after he missed his primary target of selection for the Tour de France — and a shot at a record-equalling fifth Tour crown — many questions still remain ahead of his first three-week race since the 2018 Tour.
“I’m feeling better and better on the bike and I can take a lot of confidence from that,” Froome said.
“I’ve got to keep in mind I haven’t raced a Grand Tour for two years now, it’s very much about getting back into it again.
“I’ll take it one day at a time and see how I go. I’ll know pretty quickly as we get into it in the first few days — the first few days are pretty full-on.”
The race, shortened to 18 stages after the cancellation of a planned start in Utrecht, begins in Irun tomorrow and will offer a brutal examination with three mountain stages in the first six days — subject to the weather at this unusually late time in the year.
