Tour de France: Chris Froome already focused on Mont Ventoux
By Matt Westby
Last Updated: 13/07/16 8:54am
Tour de France leader Chris Froome says he is already focused on Thursday’s summit finish on the iconic Mont Ventoux.
The Team Sky rider retained his 16-second gap at the top of the general classification on stage 10 and should enjoy another stress-free day on a flat 11th stage on Wednesday.
The general classification battle will then resume on stage 12's ascent of Mont Ventoux and stage 13's 37.5km individual time trial, both of which could have a pivotal say on the overall outcome of the race.
Froome claimed an emphatic victory on the Tour's last visit to Mont Ventoux, in 2013, and is already mentally preparing himself for his return.
He said: "Tomorrow we are hoping for a similar day to today, another day we can tick off and get through without too much happening. Ventoux is definitely the next big thing we have our sights on now.
"I'm already focused on the Ventoux on Thursday and the time trial on Friday.
"If you look at the GC [general classification] battle, the top 10 are separated by around a minute pretty much. The days at Ventoux and the time trial, the gaps will open up and be significant."
The ascent of Mont Ventoux is 15.7km long, averages 8.8 per cent in gradient and is one of the most feared climbs in professional cycling.
In 2013, Froome became only the second rider in history to win on the 'Giant of Provence' while wearing the yellow jersey, emulating Eddy Merckx in 1970, and the Team Sky rider insists he is happy to take the burden of race leadership on to its slopes once again this year.
He added: "It was never a consideration to let the jersey go, even though Adam Yates is very close on GC [general classification].
"Especially the way the team is riding, we're happy to have the jersey on our shoulders and the responsibility of the race."
Find out more about stage 11's route from Carcassonne to Montpellier in our race guide and follow the stage with our live blog from 1pm BST.
