END OF AN ERA
Froome’s last stand with team that made him a Tour legend
CHRIS FROOME admits his last stand as king of Britain’s blazing saddles could be in the supporting cast instead of topping the bill.
The greatest Grand Tour rider of his generation makes his final appearance in the colours of Ineos Grenadiers – and their forerunners Team Sky – when the Vuelta a Espana begins in Irun today hinting he may be riding as a super- domestique for team- mate Richard Carapaz.
Froome, who will join Israel Start- Up Nation next season, said: “It’s a bag of mixed emotions. I’m looking forward to finishing my time at Ineos on a high note. We’ve got a great team here to support Richard.”
It is 16 months since Froome’s lifethreatening crash during a practice run at the Criterium du Dauphine left him in intensive care with multiple broken bones. Against the odds, he set his heart on a record- equalling fifth Yellow Jersey at the Tour de France this year, only for Ineos principal Sir Dave Brailsford to leave him out of the squad.
Although Brailsford indicated in August the team would be behind Froome at the Vuelta, the 35- year- old is still unsure of his form and admits he could be assigned to support Carapaz.
It would be an anti- climax if a seventime Grand Tour winner bowed out after 11 seasons as Brailsford’s kingpin hidden in the peloton as an extra.
“It’s quite hard to say where I am at the moment – I haven’t done many stage races recently,” said Froome.
“The signs in training have been better and better and I’m feeling more like my old self again, which is fantastic, but it’s hard to quantify that.
“I’m going to take the first few days to see exactly where I’m at and, from that point, I’ll be able to have a clear plan for the rest of the race.
“I’m feeling better and better on the bike. I’ve got to keep in mind I haven’t raced a Grand Tour for two years now.”
Among Froome’s biggest rivals will be Primoz Roglic, whose dramatic collapse in the final time trial cost him the Yellow Jersey at this year’s Tour de France, and Tom Dumoulin in a powerful Jumbo- Visma line- up.