Froome and gloom as French crowds target Chris

ALL the pre Tour de France talk has centred on Chris Froome after the UCI dropped its case over levels of Salbutamol in his system at last year’s La Vuelta Espana.

The 33-year-old (left) is 13-8 favourite to claim a record equalling fifth Le Tour and a fourth in a row.

But with hostile crowds who have threatened to target him along the course, it could pay to look elsewhere. Froome’s former team-mate Richie Porte was fifth in Le Tour in his first season at BMC Racing before failing to finish twelve months ago and is respected at 4-1 to land the General Classification.

Romain Bardet is a

16-1 shot who finished second two years ago and third last year. He can also pose a threat.

Adam Yates claimed fourth in

2016 before missing last year’s race and is also a decent 16-1 shot.

But Nairo Quintana, who has already won the other two Grand Tours, Giro D’Italia and La PEARSON’S Vuelta, and has been on the podium three times here can provide the opposition at 7-1. Lewis Hamilton will be looking to put a pointless weekend in Austria behind him in front of a home crowd at the British Grand Prix. Quotes of 8-11 pre-practice highlight Hamilton’s dominance at Silverstone.

Championship leader Sebastien Vettel won here in 2009 and is 7-2 to win again. Hamilton’s Mercedes team-mate Valtteri Bottas is 11-2.

But it’s hard to see past Hamilton. He’s 6-4 to claim pole position and a race victory.