Team Sky: 'We always want more'
Although Chris Froome now sits minutes rather than seconds ahead of his closest rivals in the Tour de France, Team Sky still want to gain more time


Chris Froome moved further into the yellow jersey lead today when the Tour de France covered its first time trial in Provence today, but Team Sky wants more time than it already has to be safe.
Froome moved from a 28-second lead over Adam Yates (Orica-BikeExchange) to a 1-47-minute lead over Bauke Mollema (Trek-Segafredo) in today's 37.5-kilometre time trial to La Caverne Du Pont-d'Arc.
"It's big on the paper," Sports Director Nicolas Portal said. "For sure it's big, but we are never happy. We always want more."
>>> Five talking points from Tour de France stage 13
Prior to today, Froome gained time via baby steps: 23 seconds with a downhill attack off the Peyresourde, 12 seconds on the wind-ravaged roads to Montpellier and 19 seconds on the climb up Mont Ventoux.
Tom Dumoulin (Giant-Alpecin) won on Friday, but Froome placed second and rode 2-05 minutes into top pre-Tour rival Nairo Quintana (Movistar). Quintana finished second to Froome in 2013 and 2015, but this year, looks like he might not do so. His attacks yesterday on Mont Ventoux appeared softer than usual and his time trial today did not help.
Instead of the Colombian, Sky's immediate worry turns to Dutchman Bauke Mollema. Mollema, though sixth in the 2013 Tour behind Froome, never seriously challenged for the overall until now. Today, he only lost 51 seconds to Froome.
Get The Leadout Newsletter
The latest race content, interviews, features, reviews and expert buying guides, direct to your inbox!
"I was thinking that with the crash of yesterday could cost him, it was small and sometimes with high-level athletes you can pay," Portal said of Froome.
"Two minutes into Nairo Quintana and Alejandro Valverde is great. Mollema is pretty good because he was super strong yesterday on Mont Ventoux. He's the closest, he's showing strong and stronger. He's one of the guys we are going to look at now, more than before. We don't rule out anyone."
>>> Tour de France 2016: Latest news, reports and info
Mollema sat second overall in 2013, but after stage 16 suffered when he fell sick and placed sixth. He explained Sky already has a big enough advantage over him with the Alps ahead in the coming eight stages.
"The gap with Froome is still very big," Mollema said. "I should be able to keep my podium, I'm older and more experienced and with good team support. But no, I can't win the Tour."
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
Gregor Brown is an experienced cycling journalist, based in Florence, Italy. He has covered races all over the world for over a decade - following the Giro, Tour de France, and every major race since 2006. His love of cycling began with freestyle and BMX, before the 1998 Tour de France led him to a deep appreciation of the road racing season.
-
Gear up for your best summer of riding – Balfe's Bikes has up to 54% off Bontrager shoes, helmets, lights and much more
Supported It's not just Bontrager, Balfe's has a huge selection of discounted kit from the best cycling brands including Trek, Specialized, Giant and Castelli all with big reductions
By Paul Brett
-
7-Eleven returns to the peloton for one day only at Liège-Bastogne-Liège
Uno-X Mobility to rebrand as 7-Eleven for Sunday's Monument to pay tribute to iconic American team from the 1980s
By Tom Thewlis
-
'It can really push me along' - How a velodrome comeback is making Caleb Ewan faster on the road
Australian says he'll "definitely" continue track work after rekindling passion
By Tom Davidson
-
Could Caleb Ewan be Ineos Grenadiers' first Tour de France sprinter since Mark Cavendish? 'That's my goal'
"All I can do is try to win as much as possible and prove that I deserve to be there," says Australian
By Tom Davidson
-
'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
-
'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
-
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
-
'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
-
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
-
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