FROOME FOR MORE

CHRIS FROOME’S bid for a Tour de France-Vuelta a Espana double received an early boost as he flexed his muscles ahead of a big day in the Andorra mountains.

Froome (left) moved to ninth in the Vuelta’s general classification after the 126-mile second stage from Nimes to Gruissan was buffeted by crosswinds. The four-times Yellow Jersey winner is 21 seconds down on Belgian leader Yves Lampaert. And he has high hopes for today’s mountainous stage from Prades Confient Canigo to Andorra la Vella.

Froome said: “We were probably a bit short coming into the final kilometres but I’m still happy with that result. We can be satisfied with the mountains coming.”