Cycling: Chris Froome ready to lead from front in Vuelta a Espana

Published on 18/08/2012 03:58

Tour de France runner-up and Olympic bronze medallist Chris Froome starts the Vuelta a Espana today looking to go one better than 12 months ago.

Last year he finished runner-up, 13 seconds behind winner Juan Jose Cobo, but after an impressive few months the 27-year-old will spearhead Team Sky’s bid to win back-to-back grand tours after Bradley Wiggins was crowned champion in Paris last month.

“It’s been a pretty chaotic summer so far,” he said. “My focus was on getting through the Tour, and then to the end of it. What we did there was a huge achievement for the team and then to carry straight on to the Olympics after that made it an epic summer.

“It wasn’t easy to retain my focus after the Tour and the schedule has made it harder because I’ve not had the time to tailor my training specifically. But I’m confident, still very motivated, and eager to lead the team for the first time.”

Froome was frustrated by team orders to protect Wiggins in the Tour de France but there will be a reoccurrence with him as the focal point when the Vuelta starts in Pamplona today.

“It’s a fantastic position for me to be in and I want to make the most of it,” he added.

“I’ve never done two Grand Tours back to back before so I’d like to see how I cope with that.”