Chris Froome targets Tour de France stage win as four-time champion says the race is his ‘ultimate goal’

Chris Froome says the Tour de France remains his “ultimate goal” and that he will be aiming for a stage victory at the race this summer.

Froome’s Israel-Premier Tech team are yet to confirm their line-up for the Grand Tour, which starts on July 1, but the four-time champion is likely to be included.

Froome, who recently turned 38, raced last week at the Route d’Occitanie, finishing in 40th place in the overall standings.

He hasn’t got back to his very best following a serious crash in 2019 but is hopeful of challenging for a stage win at this summer’s Tour.

“This is the event in which I experienced my best emotions, the race where all the best riders in the world compete in their best shape.

“Obviously I’m not going to go to the Tour to compete for the overall standings, but if I can try to do well on a stage, like last year in Alpe d’Huez, that would be great.”

“Clearly, I will go to the Tour with this objective of a stage victory,” he added.

“That’s what motivates me.”

Froome claimed his fourth victory at the Tour de France in 2017 and his last stage win at any race was at the 2018 Giro d’Italia.

Reflecting on his current form, he added: “I’ve had a few minor physical glitches since the start of the season, in particular a tendon problem in April.

“I was forced to review the initial plan and give up some great races like the Tour of Catalonia and the Tour of the Alps.

“But I was able to do the Tour de Romandie and I feel like I’m gradually regaining my legs. The last six to seven weeks have gone well in training, I have worked well, without problems. Everything seems to be going in the right direction.

“I keep working hard and improving. In terms of power data, I’ve been making progress month after month, week after week…it’s encouraging.

“As long as there are positive signals, as long as I continue to find a level always a little more interesting, I will keep the motivation.”

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