Chris Froome will use the heartache of crashing out of the Tour de France last year as motivation for another tilt at glory.
The 30-year-old was one of five Britons named in Team Sky’s nine-man line-up for the Tour on Monday and will compete along with Richie Porte, Geraint Thomas, Peter Kennaugh, Ian Stannard, Luke Rowe, Nicolas Roche, Leopold Konig and Wout Poels in the gruelling race, which gets under way in Utrecht, Holland, on Saturday.
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Froome, who won the event in 2013, said: “Last year’s disappointment is this year’s motivation for Team Sky.
“From the moment I crashed out in 2014, I’ve had the burning desire to get back to this year’s Tour in the best possible shape.
“I’m ready and I’m fortunate to have a strong team around me selected to meet the many different challenges of this year’s race – from the cobbles to the climbs.
Incredibly privileged to be supported by such a strong team for this years #TDF. Looking forward to the Grand Départ @LeTourUtrecht D-5
— Chris Froome (@chrisfroome) June 29, 2015
“There’s a great spirit in the group and we’re ready to give our best for every kilometre of every day.
“We’re counting down the days. We can’t wait to get started.”
Team principal Sir Dave Brailsford is confident Team Sky will be in the mix, but admits they can take nothing for granted.
He said: “The Tour is shaping up to be one of the most exciting in years, and we’ve chosen a team of talented riders for the race.
“We’ve studied this year’s route carefully and have selected the riders who we believe will best deliver our race strategy. Inevitably it is always a difficult decision.
Meet our 2015 Tour de France squad!! What do you think of the line-up? We can’t wait to go racing! #TDF pic.twitter.com/arUnXTP1Ro
— Team Sky (@TeamSky) June 29, 2015
“We’re all looking forward to a great race and we have a strong team that’s hungry for success.
“I’m confident that Team Sky will be competitive – but of course we can take nothing for granted..”
The race is being billed as a four-way battle between Froome, Alberto Contador, Vincenzo Nibali and Nairo Quintana, and Brailsford is confident his man has got what it takes to reclaim the crown.
He added: “He’s in good shape. He’s healthy, he’s fit, he’s hungry and everything has just fallen into place nicely for his assault on the Tour this year.”
