Vuelta a Espana: Chris Froome aims for historic double

All three fell short during July, but they face the same challenge now, as Froome attempts to become the first man to win the Vuelta and Tour since the Spanish race was shifted in the calendar.

His victory in the Tour and the fact that the Vuelta includes a decent-length time trial – unlike the French race – make him the favourite on paper, but in 2012, after finishing second to Bradley Wiggins in the Tour de France, he enjoyed similar status on starting the Vuelta, but crumbled as the race progressed.

Froome promised to take the tests during the Tour as Team Sky sought a way to prove that his performances are not chemically-enhanced, with the hope being that he can show he has a naturally low heart rate.

Quintana, the Tour’s runner-up, was more scathing in his description of the start to the three-week Grand Tour.

Froome is not the only rider eager to remove the label of second best.

Quintana and Valverde will have the support of the powerful Movistar team, which has the advantage of racing on home soil, although it will be interesting to see if the riders who were so strong in the Tour de France will pay for their efforts in another demanding race which comes so soon afterwards.

The video came on the same day that Team Sky named Froome as their leader for a second Grand Tour of the season, the Vuelta a Espana which begins on Saturday.

Nibali won the Vuelta in 2010 before also claiming the Giro in 2013 and the Tour in 2014.

Likewise Teejay Van Garderen is also among the favorites: the American was performing well in France before illness forced him out and although that ruined his Tour chances, it should mean he is fresher than the other favorites.

When asked what will be the critical periods in deciding general classification honours, Froome joked “we know it’s not going to be tomorrow’s team time trial” after Vuelta organisers revealed the opening stage from Puerto Banus to Marbella would be neutralised due to concerns about the route.

“Most of the race’s main difficulties will be at the north of Spain and Andorra, while a different kind of hardness will be found in Andalusia”, said Movistar team director Eusebio Unzue.

Froome has targeted the individual time trial on stage 17 as a key point for his red-jersey aspirations, while he is wary of stage 11 in Andorra.