WORLD OF Nibali’s ready to turn heat up on Froome

VUELTA a Espana leader Chris Froome suffered more than expected on yesterday’s difficult mountain stage, ceding more than 40 seconds to closest challenger Vincenzo Nibali.

Froome struggled to stay in contact with his top climbing team-mate Mikel Nieve, on the ultra-steep, rain-soaked slopes of Los Machucos in northern Spain.

The Sky rider crossed the line in 14th place, in what represents his first key defeat in the Vuelta.

Overall, the Briton retains the lead by more than a minute, but with another major mountain stage on Saturday, Nibali, above, is sure to put Froome under more pressure in the Vuelta’s final week.

Following his dramatic victory in Monday’s long time trial, which looked to have sealed overall victory for the Briton, Froome said that his energy reserves had been lower than expected when the race returned to the mountains yesterday.

“I’m sure I paid a little bit for that effort I made in the time trial,” said Froome. “But I’m still in a fantastic position, I’m confident. Hopefully I’ll bounce back after a hard day.”

Froome has finished second three times in the Vuelta. And the Briton said yesterday that Spain’s three-week long equivalent to the Tour de France – which he has won four times – was proving to be a tougher event for him to capture.

“But that has been because, up until now, my focus has been 100 per cent on the Tour de France and then to just try to survive the Vuelta,” said Froome.

“This year, after a later start to the season, I’ve been able to hold my top form for longer since the Tour and I think that’s showing here.”

Froome faces a much shorter uphill finish today, where the favourites should ease back and let the breakaway specialists have their say.