Froome completes historic Tour-Vuelta double
MADRID: Chris Froome hailed his greatest athletic achievement after becoming just the third rider in history to win the Vuelta a Espana and Tour de France in the same year on Sunday (Monday in Manila).
Froome beat four-time Grand Tour winner Vincenzo Nibali by Zakarin completing the podium in Trentin claimed his fourth victory of
“I would say this victory is anyone who has ever won the Tour de France and gone onto win the Vuelta a Espana starting less than one month apart,” said Froome.
The Briton joins Frenchmen - riders to win the Tour and Vuelta in the same year.
win both races since the Vuelta was moved to after the Tour in the
“That was a huge challenge from an athletic point of view to try and be at the top level for that long was such a big challenge.”
Froome, a four-time winner of the Tour de France, had previously
The Sky rider led the race all the way from stage three to Madrid thanks to wins on stage nine and the individual time trial on
“To have been here for the past six years trying to win the Vuelta and being three times second it is such an amazing feeling to have eventually won this red jersey.
“It is really emotional and at this moment I couldn’t be happier.”
Sprint risk
Trentin continued his domination of the few sprint stages of the three Arroyomolinos to Madrid, ending in a nine-lap circuit through the centre of the Spanish capital.
However, he was denied the green jersey for the points classi who sprinted to maintain his lead
“It was a risk sprinting trying to get points for the green jersey,” added Froome.
“There is a big risk of crashing in the final, but at the end of the day I’m a bike racer and there is a competition.
“It was probably the only chance in my career to ever win the points
Trentin was surprised by Froome’s tactics, but proud as the only sprinter to have competed demanding mountain climbs.
“He told me he wanted to defend it and he did,” said Trentin.
“With four victories I don’t have the jersey, it’s kind of a joke. “It is a pity but I can survive.” There was also an emotional send-off for Alberto Contador on
The three-time Vuelta winner signed off in style with victory on the steep mountain climb to Alto de l’Angliru on Saturday and was given the honour of leading the Madrid circuit.
“The whole race has been special,” said Contador, who also performed a lap of honour before the adoring Spanish crowds.
“Yesterday was as good as it gets. It was a stage I’ll always remember and I feel very fortunate.”
A winner of seven Grand Tours, Contador is one of just six riders to have won all three of the Tour de France, Giro d’Italia and the Vuelta.