Froome sets sights on fifth Tour win

CHRIS FROOME yesterday set his sights on a fifth Tour de France in 2018 which would move him alongside legends Eddy Merckx, Jacques Anquetil, Bernard Hinault and Miguel Indurain as a five-time winner.

“It’s a huge honour to be talked about in the same sentence as those guys with their place in the history of the Tour de France,” said 32-year-old Froome.

“It is just a privilege to even be in the position to be going for that kind of record.

“Each time I’ve won the Tour it’s so unique and so different and it is such a different battle to get to this moment.

“So they’re all special in their own ways and this year I think will be remembered for being the closest and most hard-fought battle between the GC rivals.”

First of all, however, was a Froome family celebration after being reunited with his wife and young son in Paris on Sunday.

“It’s amazing to see them again. It feels like more than a month on the road,” said Froome.

“Definitely a celebration is overdue. I’m looking forward to it.”

Froome had already toasted with a glass of champagne on the road during Sunday’s 21st and final stage of the 104th edition of the Tour, a 103km run from Montgeron to Paris.

The stage was won by young Dutchman Dylan Groenewegen, denying German veteran Andre Greipel a hattrick of wins on the Champs Elysees.

For Rigoberto Uran, second place to Froome was a reason to celebrate.

No-one before in any of Froome’s previous Tour victories had finished within a minute of the dominant Briton – Uran was at just 54 seconds.

“I’m delighted, it’s emotional, the fruit of many years of dedication, hard work and effort,” said the 30-year-old Colombian.

“Today is the recompense. I feel like I’m flying. It was a great race against a rival like Froome.” – AFP