Froome eyes historic double in ‘vicious’ Vuelta

LONDON: Chris Froome has set his sights on an historic double as the Tour de France champion confirmed he will race in the ‘vicious’ Vuelta a Espana.

Froome claimed his fourth yellow jersey in Paris on Sunday and now he hopes to become the first rider in 22 years to win both the Tour and the Vuelta in the same year.

The 32-year-old has finished second three times in the Vuelta and believes he can go one better this time despite the formidable test provided by the Spanish race.Romain Bardet, Fabio Aru, and Alberto Contador are all expected to ride, while Vincenzo Nibali, who missed the Tour, may also be a strong contender.

“I’ve got the opportunity and I’m certainly going to go for it,” Froome said on Team Sky’s website.“The Vuelta is a race I love, it’s vicious but it’s three weeks that I enjoy.“I’ve come second three times now and I’d love to win. To win both the Tour and the Vuelta in one year would be absolutely incredible.”

The Vuelta is the third of cycling’s three Grand Tours, along with the Giro d’Italia and Tour de France. No British rider has ever won the Vuelta a Espana, which this year starts on August 19.

Froome does not have long to recuperate but Team Sky principal Dave Brailsford believes his star rider is capable of a memorable double.“There’s no reason why not. We’ve got four weeks to the start of the Vuelta,” Brailsford said.