Froome: It’s fantastic for Sky to have different cards to play
CHRIS FROOME insists Team Sky’s leadership at the Tour de France will be decided on the road.
Former Sky rider Sir Bradley Wiggins has claimed the team would have a “a real problem” if Geraint Thomas took the yellow jersey ahead of team-mate Froome.
Sky have talked up the benefits of having Thomas second overall, 43 seconds behind leader Greg Van Avermaet (BMC) and 59 ahead of Froome after nine stages.
Though Sky have reiterated that Froome remains the team leader, Thomas has so far been given licence to race for himself and 2012 winner Wiggins feels it could cause trouble.
“This is where it gets difficult, as we hit first mountain stage,” Wiggins said on his Eurosport show. “If Geraint stays where he is and takes the yellow jersey they’ve got a real problem on their hands.”
Froome played down any talk of friction after finishing a ride on the Tour’s first rest day.
“I think the race, as always, will decide (leadership),” the fourtime Tour winner said. “For us it’s fantastic to have different cards to play.
“If you look at all the GC riders, ‘G’ is right up there. It’s for other teams to attack us now.”
Thomas added that it was speculative to discuss it before a single mountain stage.
“I think it’s a bit early to be talking about that,” said Thomas, who enjoyed four days in yellow at the start of last year’s Tour.
“Maybe if I’m still right there after Alpe d’Huez (on Thursday), it’s a bit different then. But we haven’t done a proper climb yet. I’m certainly not getting carried away.”