Froome begins quest for 3rd Tour de France title

Becoming a first-time father in the winter, the Tour’s ultra-difficult final four Alpine mountain stages, Froome’s relative difficulties in the third week of the 2015 Tour and his aim of battling for gold in the Olympic road race and time trial in August have all combined for a reworked strategy.

He was fourth in the Vuelta a Espana a year ago, while he has finished as the runner-up to Froome on each of his Tour de France appearances to date, in 2013 and 2015.

Having helped Sky pair Bradley Wiggins (2012) and Chris Froome (2013 and 2015) in their successful tilts at Tour glory, Porte will spearhead the BMC team challenge at the Grand Boucle alongside American co-leader Tejay Van Garderen.

“It will be a tough race but I like the challenge and it has several opportunities for us as a team”.

With Geraint Thomas as his deputy, Froome has a great chance, says The Guardian: “After a slow start to 2016, Froome’s recent victory at the Criterium du Dauphine suggests he is still the man to beat”.

The Colombian’s winning streak was unprecedented in the country’s rich cycling history, but not enough for Quintana, the lead rider for the Spanish Movistar team. Froome was the stage victor when the Tour last scaled its barren, 1,909-meter (6,263-foot) peak in 2013 and is eyeing that stage again for another victory next year. Even the two time trials, one is pretty much straight uphill and the other has two climbs on it – they are time trials where climbers will do well. But I am still preparing and I hope this year that I can respond to his attacks.

The 31-year-old was part of three Tour-winning teams in four years at Sky, but that counts for nothing now. At 33, Contador’s age is also against him and he was fifth behind Froome in Criterium du Dauphine earlier in the season. But will the Italian, who has a fairly combustible temperament, be able to handle Le Tour? Other hugely talented climbers include Colombia’s Sergio Henao, Spain’s Mikel Nieve and Dutchman Wout Poels, who acted as key support for Froome in last year’s crunch stage on the mythical Alpe d’Huez stage. Challenging him for the top spot will be recent Giro d’Italia victor from Astana Pro Team, Vincenzo Nibali. That will cost them energy.

And Froome’s old domestique could once again be forced to sacrifice his ambitions if he starts badly.

The Kenya-born Briton held the yellow jersey from stage seven previous year and was able to take victory by over a minute – although Nairo Quintana pushed him hard – with some impressive performances in the mountains. Asks the Daily Telegraph. In addition, the team aims to further develop its riders and enhance the quality of the entire team, with an increasing focus on the overall classification. If you can pick a rider likely to get in that first breakaway, there’s points up for grabs.