Chris Froome has predicted a “tough start” to the 2014 Tour de France having previewed the opening two stages of the race in Yorkshire.
The defending champion rode sections of stage one, a 190.5km route from Leeds to Harrogate, and stage two, 201km from York to Sheffield, at the weekend on the all-new Pinarello F8, accompanied by team-mates Richie Porte, David Lopez and Mikel Nieve.
“It is going to be a tough start for us, stage one and stage two,” Froome told the Northern Echo. “That early in the race, it is going to be quite difficult, but it is an amazing place to have a bike race.
“I expected the first stage was going to be designed for Cav, but having seen it, it is actually quite hard. It is hard to find a piece of flat road, it is always undulating up and down and left and right. Even for Cav, I think it is going to be a tough start, and the second stage is hilly.”
This photo gallery takes you behind-the-scenes with Froome as he prepares for the defence of his title.
