Team Sky Team Principal Sir Dave Brailsford has re-emphasised the team’s Grand Tour objectives after a strong start to the season.
The team sits in a position of luxury with the ability to target the top step of the podium across all three of cycling’s Grand Tours.
Chris Froome, Sir Bradley Wiggins and, after victory at Paris-Nice, Richie Porte, lead that charge – the trio having proven on multiple occasions that they are capable of targeting the biggest prizes in cycling.
Froome and Wiggins have twice finished on the same podium together following a three-week Grand Tour, first at the Vuelta a Espana in 2011 and again at the Tour de France last season.
Amid speculation around who will lead Team Sky into the Tour this summer, Brailsford has reaffirmed the team’s plans, with targeting victory at the Giro d’Italia the immediate priority.
“We're in a fantastic position - we have two of the best GC riders in the world and they are both great racers with a competitive will to win,” he said.
“Since the start of season, Bradley's performance plan has focused around training specifically to try and win the Giro and then ride the Tour, whilst Chris’ has been focused on attempting to win the Tour.
“Now we're here - the Giro has started and Bradley has done a brilliant job of getting in the best-possible condition for his assault on the race.”
On Track
While Wiggins and Team Sky’s Giro squad are out hunting the maglia rosa, on Friday Froome spent the day on a recce of stage 15 of the Tour and the infamous Mont Ventoux.
The 27-year-old has enjoyed an outstanding season to date, powering to overall victories at the Tour of Oman, Criterium International and Tour de Romandie with four individual stage wins along the way. With his early-season form stronger than even Froome himself could have hoped, preparations are firmly on track.
On the decision process for this summer Brailsford added: “As always the team selection is a management decision and it will be evidence-based. However it is crucial there is clarity of purpose and for that reason we will go to the Tour with one leader.
“Taking that into consideration and given Chris’ step up in performances this year, our plan, as it has been since January is to have him lead the Tour de France team.
“With over seven weeks until the Tour and the Giro to focus on, our final selection of nine won’t be confirmed until after the Dauphine.
“Everyone here is 100% focused on this race and the next three weeks
