THE BIG PICTURE
SIR Dave Brailsford says his relationship with Chris Froome is “as good as ever” despite the four-time champion’s omission from Team Ineos’ Tour de France squad.
Froome was left out along with 2018 victor Geraint Thomas ahead of the rescheduled Tour, which begins in Nice tomorrow. Froome, 35, who is leaving Ineos at the end of the current season and will instead lead the team at the Vuelta a Espana in October, suffered a fracture to his neck in a major crash last year.
Team principal Brailsford said: “We’ve given Chris a bit longer to continue his recovery. We looked at everything we can do to support his training programme and our relationship is as good as ever. We have a professional and a personal relationship.”