Chris Froome looking to the future after 2014 troubles
Team Sky rider hoping to be competing to his best again, as he begins preparation for the 2015 season, and doesn't rule out riding the Tour de France

Chris Froome attacks on stage four of the 2014 Tour of Oman

Having spent the off-season riding the odd criterium, jetting off to south Asia and to top it all off, getting married to fiancee Michelle Cound last week, Chris Froome is keen to get going with his preparation for the 2015 season.
“I went over to India for a bit and to the Himalayas,” he told the Team Sky website about his downtime.
“It was something quite different and I really enjoyed it. After any season I think it’s important to reset and re-calibrate. I’m actually really hungry to start training again and keen to get back going.”
The British rider's 2014 season was potentially the most trying of his career, as crashes blighted and eventually ended his main goal of the season: the defence of his Tour de France title.
Still, Froome holds the opening stages in Yorkshire and London as the high point of his turbulent year, as despite the disappointment having to withdraw from the Tour, he says it was a "massive and incredible experience" for him.
“I think the biggest point of the year for me were the first few stages of the Tour," he said.
"Starting up there in Yorkshire was something I’ll never forget. Coming in as the previous winner and having that home support was huge. "
Get The Leadout Newsletter
The latest race content, interviews, features, reviews and expert buying guides, direct to your inbox!
The 29-year-old's attention was immediately drawn to the Vuelta a España after his Tour disappointment, and despite dominant performances in races like the Tour de Romandie earlier in the year, his ride in the Vuelta was personally the most pleasing for him.
"In terms of performance and satisfaction, I think the Vuelta was definitely the one. It left me with the best feeling," he said.
The Tour was a disappointment but I’ve still got a few victories I can be happy about this year.
"Also finishing the Vuelta off in such a decent way, after having all the setbacks – that for me was probably more important than anything else. It means I’ll be able to go forward into next year without starting from a negative position. I can go in with a clean slate and give it my best shot.”
And with next year in mind, Froome has been enigmatic about the races he'll target, calling the Giro a "big opportunity" while saying that riding the Tour would require "careful consideration."
Most of all though, the Kenyan-born Sky rider just wants to be 'in the mix' with the other GC contenders at the front of the headline races in 2015.
“Looking to next year, my key goal is just returning to good condition and being at the front of a race again,” Froome said.
“That’s a really big motivation for me. Whether it’s the Tour or any other race, it’s what I love doing. I love racing and being able to compete at the front – to be with a team of guys who you enjoy being with, and who you work together well with.
"That’s what gets me through the winter when I’m riding those long hours on my own.”
More Chris Froome stories
Froome can recapture top form next year, says Mikel Nieve
Mikel Nieve has said that he believes Chris Froome will hit top form in 2015, while personally he is happy
Chris Froome: 'Next year's Giro d'Italia is a big opportunity'
Chris Froome reiterates that the route of the 2015 Giro d'Italia would suit him more than the Tour de France,
Thank you for reading 20 articles this month* Join now for unlimited access
Enjoy your first month for just £1 / $1 / €1
*Read 5 free articles per month without a subscription
Join now for unlimited access
Try first month for just £1 / $1 / €1
Follow on Twitter: @richwindy
Richard is digital editor of Cycling Weekly. Joining the team in 2013, Richard became editor of the website in 2014 and coordinates site content and strategy, leading the news team in coverage of the world's biggest races and working with the tech editor to deliver comprehensive buying guides, reviews, and the latest product news.
An occasional racer, Richard spends most of his time preparing for long-distance touring rides these days, or getting out to the Surrey Hills on the weekend on his Specialized Tarmac SL6 (with an obligatory pub stop of course).
-
Elisa Longo Borghini emerges as Flanders favourite with Dwars door Vlaanderen victory
The Italian rider soloed to her 50th career win ahead of an elite pack of chasers
By James Shrubsall Published
-
'We did a beautiful race up until 10km to go' - Visma-Lease a Bike pull defeat from the jaws of victory at Dwars door Vlaanderen
With such a difficult second place on Wednesday, could this performance affect confidence ahead of the Tour of Flanders?
By Adam Becket Published
-
'An unprecedented opportunity for brands to be part of the evolution' - Ineos Grenadiers sponsor hunt steps up with sales agency partnership
Sportfive have been employed to find "non-endemic global partners for the team"
By Adam Becket Published
-
'We've all got a little bit extra in us this year' - Ineos Grenadiers recapture 'fighting spirit' with aggressive Paris-Nice display
British team continue to put tumultuous 2024 behind them with momentum and a new found mentality
By Tom Thewlis Published
-
Could a TotalEnergies deal be the end of Ineos Grenadiers as we know them?
Reports suggested this week that Ineos could be close to signing a deal with the French petrochemical firm
By Tom Thewlis Published
-
'They’re racing with their hearts again' - Robbie McEwen on Ineos Grenadiers' bright start to 2025
The British squad have already won four times in 2025
By Tom Thewlis Published
-
Ineos Grenadiers are entertaining so far this year, but how long will it last?
The British WorldTour squad have won four times already in 2025, but more than that, they have been fun. Is this the new dawn?
By Adam Becket Published
-
Caleb Ewan says he was put in a 'bad situation' by Jayco AlUla before he joined Ineos Grenadiers
Ewan joined Ineos Grenadiers in January after spending just one year with Jayco AlUla
By Tom Thewlis Published
-
'There's no bull****, that's what I've always liked' - Geraint Thomas's first BC coach Rod Ellingworth on the retiring Welshman
The 2018 Tour de France winner will step away from professional cycling at the end of the season
By Tom Thewlis Published
-
'It is time to change goals' - Egan Bernal's coach confirms Ineos Grenadiers exit
'I want to thank all the cyclists I have had the opportunity to coach over the past ten years' Xabier Artetxe says in LinkedIn post
By Tom Thewlis Published